Summary: We are still in the midst of the narrative leading to the redemption of Israelites from Egypt. Two plagues take place – locust and darkness. We also learn the laws of Passover – that we should keep it throughout the generations; Finally we hear of the plague of the death of the first born. The Israelites leave Egypt with no time for dough to rise.
Lesson: Memory is a tricky thing. When we lose our memory we lose our identity. Memory is a recurring theme in the Torah. In our portion this week there is a great emphasis placed on memory – on keeping the story of the redemption of our people alive which we do each year at the Passover Seder. In our Kiddush each Shabbat and every holiday and Sabbath we are reminded that the days are to be observed as "a memorial of the Exodus from Egypt."
One of the reasons that we perform rituals…the Kiddush each week or the Seder meal each year, is to remind us to remember. Its nice to join with family and friends, and at the same time its important to remember the story of our people, to review the miracles of our history. Another reason to remember is so that we enlarge our vision beyond our own story. Passover reminds us that while we are free, there are people in our world who are not yet free. Our remembering calls us to act so that all might be free.
Yes, memory is a tricky thing. While we are commanded to remember, we are also commended to forget. When Joseph meets the brothers who sold him into slavery, he puts the pain in the past and forgives them. We are a remarkable people – we remember in order to better our world. And we forget so that we can move forward without resentment or bitterness. From our portion this week we are commanded to forget the evil that befell us and instead remember the good and strive to bring that goodness into our world.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Goor