We often think of the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea…miracles, plain and simple. But Jewish tradition, in its beautiful way, also emphasizes the human element. It wasn't just about divine intervention. It was about the people themselves.
So, what qualities allowed them to be ready for redemption?
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic text dating back to the 8th or 9th century, gives us a powerful answer. It tells us that the Israelites were redeemed from Egypt through the merit of three specific things.
First, they did not change their language. They held onto their Hebrew, their lashon kodesh, their sacred tongue. In a foreign land, surrounded by a dominant culture, they maintained their linguistic identity. This wasn't just about words; it was about preserving their connection to their heritage, their history, their very soul.
Second, they did not change their names. Names, in Jewish tradition, aren't just labels. They're imbued with meaning, with destiny. To keep their Hebrew names—names like Reuven, Shimon, Levi—was to affirm their identity, to resist assimilation. It was a quiet act of defiance, a powerful statement of who they were and who they would remain.
And third, perhaps most profoundly, they did not slander one another. They avoided lashon hara – evil speech. In the crucible of slavery, it would have been easy to turn on each other, to succumb to bitterness and infighting. But they didn't. They maintained their unity, their sense of collective responsibility. What a powerful testament to their moral strength!
These three qualities, seemingly simple, were actually incredibly profound. They speak to the resilience, the faith, and the moral character of the Israelites.
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer goes on to say that in the unity of God’s Name, Israel went forth from Egypt full of all good things and blessings. Why? Because God remembered the word He spoke to our father Abraham. As it says in Genesis 15:14, "And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge, and afterwards shall they come out with great substance." The promise made long ago was now being fulfilled.
But it's crucial to remember the reason this promise could be fulfilled. It wasn't just divine fiat. It was because the Israelites, in their darkest hour, held onto what truly mattered: their language, their identity, and their commitment to one another.
So, what does this mean for us today? We may not be facing literal slavery in Egypt, but we all face challenges to our identity, to our values, to our sense of community. Can we learn from the Israelites of old? Can we, too, find strength in our heritage, in our language, and in our commitment to speaking kindly and truthfully to one another? It’s a thought worth pondering.