4 = 0

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4 = 0

As the Jews stood with their faces towards the endless sea, Pharaoh with his troops close behind them, the Jews, unsure of what to expect, split into four opinions (what a surprise…).

Group One stood up and cried. "Guys, it's all over," they wept. "We have nowhere to turn and Egypt is out of the question. Let drown ourselves in the sea!"

Group Two countered, "Ok, nice try, we all thought we could do the impossible and escape from Mighty Egypt. It's time to raise the white flag, and go back as slaves."

Group Three was comprised of men who were proud and firm, "Fight the Egyptians! Fight the oppressor! We shall never return as slaves!"

And finally, Group Four, who were the most devout of them all, felt that the best solution was to pray to the Almighty for salvation, "Only He can help us!"

Well… when representatives from all four parties sent delegations before Moses, Moses turned to G-d and asked Him to tell the Jews what they should do.

What did G-d say? "Why are you crying to Me? Tell the Jews to move forward!"  No suicide, no prayer, no war and no surrender. G-d had commanded to travel to Sinai, so that's what had to be done! There's a sea in the way? The Egyptians are after you? Who cares! Just move on.

The Jews walked into the sea and the waters split!

 Now let's play a little 'elimination'. We can all agree that Group 1 had a weak case; after all had G-d taken the Jews out of Egypt only that they should commit suicide a few days later? Group 2 is also eliminated, due to the compelling question: did G-d make ten plagues and all the other miracles, only to be back at square one? So 1 and 2 are eliminated.

Groups 3 and 4 however seemingly had a pretty compelling case with their two noble flags of 'defiance' and 'prayer, what was problem with their logic?

This: G-d had told the Jews to move towards Sinai. He never mentioned anything about prayer, suicide, war or white flags, all He said was: "Go to Sinai to receive the Torah!" So that is what was expected from them, "Go!"

Then and now the road to good is constantly threatened by rivers and Egyptians, immorality and skepticism. So many 'noble' ideas and thoughts make their way to the discussions and Op-Ed's. The weak cry defeat, the proud declare war, and the pious call for prayer.

Although some of the ideas are more virtuous than others, they are all wrong nevertheless. Things must get accomplished, the world must be transformed, and G-d commands: "Move! Just move on! There is a mission to be accomplished in this world, and it cannot wait. Take on the problems head on (jump into the sea), and you will see that it was an illusion!"

 There are many opinions about the problem, but there is only one solution to the problem: Action!

* * *

"Doctor! I'm scared, this is my first surgery!"

"Don't worry; it's also my first surgery!"

Moshiach Now!

Shabbat Shalom

(Rabbi) Levi Avtzon