Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah
February 6, 2025
10 Shevat 5785
Parashat B'shallach
Shabbat Shirah
It’s been a week since Gadi Mozes walked to freedom. The terrorists of Hamas and Islamic Jihad thought that they could humiliate him one last time before releasing him after 482 days. They thought that they could parade him around and make a spectacle of him for the TV cameras. They thought it would make them look strong while making him look weak. Well, they were completely wrong.
A photographer caught Gadi walking in a sea of terrorists with his head held high and a knowing look on his face. He knew that they had not defeated him. He knew that they could not humiliate him. He was above it all.
He exhibited such calm, confidence, and courage. Of course, we shouldn’t be surprised that a kibbutz founder and elder would walk out of Gaza that way.
This week’s Torah portion—B’shallach—hints at a similar walk to freedom. After leaving the land of Egypt behind, the Israelites found themselves at the edge of Yam Suf—the Sea of Reeds. According to the Midrash, the sea would not part until the Israelites had enough courage to actually enter the waters. However, they were not as calm, confident, or courageous as Gadi.
A man by the name of Nachshon ben Ammindav from the tribe of Judah (and according to the rabbis, Aaron’s brother-in-law) strode forward and walked straight into the waters of the sea. Because of his faith and courage, the waters split in front of him for the entire people of Israel, and they were able to pass safely through while the Egyptians were trapped by the crashing waters.
Ever since, the name Nachshon has been synonymous with faith and courage in traditional Jewish texts. The rabbis implored their followers to be like Nachshon in difficult times.
The story of Nachshon reminds us that the actions of a single person can impact an entire people. His courage spread to the other Israelites, and they were now ready to begin their journey through the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land.
It seems to me that in that one photo, Gadi did something similar. He showed all of Israel—and the Jewish people around the world—that we are going to be okay, that God has not forgotten us, that better days lie ahead.
This war is not over and there are still 79 hostages that must be returned, but Gadi took that first step for all of us.
Shalom,
RAF.
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