The ancient Israelites felt that way too. And in Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic commentaries on the Book of Psalms, we find a powerful message about how they found solace, a lifeline in the midst of their struggles.
The passage focuses on Psalm 119, a lengthy and beautiful ode to the Torah. It starts with a poignant cry: "Luli toratecha she'asui v'goh..." which essentially means, "If not for Your Torah, which was my delight, I would have been lost in my affliction." Can you hear the desperation in those words? Imagine a people, weighed down by hardship, finding their only comfort in the divine wisdom of the Torah.
It’s like Moses says in Psalm 94, "In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul." Think about that for a moment. In the face of overwhelming anxiety, it's not distractions or fleeting pleasures that offer true comfort, but something deeper, something rooted in faith and understanding.
Even Pharaoh, in his cruelty, unwittingly highlights the power of this connection. Remember in Exodus, when he commands, "Let the work be heavier on the men"? According to the Midrash, the Israelites under his yoke still found moments of peace and joy in their sacred texts, amusing themselves with them from Sabbath to Sabbath. They had something that even Pharaoh couldn’t take away.
This idea is echoed in multiple verses. "Your Torah is my delight forever; I will not forget Your precepts," the psalmist declares. Because, as the text reminds us, “They are life to Israel; if not for them, there would be no life.” This isn't just poetic hyperbole. It's a statement about the very essence of their being, their connection to the divine. As Deuteronomy 30:20 says, "For He is your life and the length of your days." And Proverbs adds, "For whoever finds me finds life" (Proverbs 8:35) and "For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you" (Proverbs 9:11).
The Midrash then presents a fascinating exchange between Israel and God. Israel essentially asks: "Why are we still enslaved? Is it possible for a heifer to plow in two furrows at once? Why then did You say: 'For they are My servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt'?" It's a challenge, a plea for understanding. If we are truly your servants, freed from Egypt, why do we still suffer?
And God's response? A promise: "I will save you from the oppressor." As Psalm 116 says, "Redeem me from the oppression of man." The Midrash concludes with the verse, "Save me, and I will be saved." It’s a powerful call to action, a declaration of faith, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, hope and redemption are always possible.
What does this all mean for us today? Perhaps it’s a reminder that in the face of our own anxieties and oppressions – whether they be external or internal – we too can find solace and strength in something greater than ourselves. We may not all turn to the Torah in the same way, but we can all seek out sources of meaning, connection, and hope that sustain us through difficult times. What is your Torah, the thing that keeps you afloat when the waves crash down?