Dear Friends,
Redemption begins with determination.
Between friends or family, it may start with a sincere apology.
Among nations it commences with discussions about negotiations.
In the inner self, New Year’s resolutions require initial inner willpower.
In Torah, our release from slavery and redemption from oppression began with God’s outright declaration, in this week’s Torah portion:
“Say, therefore, to the Israelite people: I am יהוה. I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements. And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God. And you shall know that I, יהוה, am your God who freed you from the labors of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
This assertion includes four compelling verbs of deliverance (in italics), which reiterate and build God’s message of resolve to free the Israelites. The text may appear familiar, and it should be. These are the words which form the foundation of the Passover Haggadah, and offer the structure of four’s – four questions, four cups of wine, etc. on which the Seder is based.
And, this statement is the beginning of our redemption. Such transformational moments do not arise out of thin air. They commonly follow pronouncements. Abraham Lincoln offered his first inaugural address. Similarly, Dr. King announced that he had a dream. So, too, John F. Kennedy declared his intent to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Redemptive change requires intentional resolve.
It works accordingly in family interactions, international relations, and inner change and attention. No wonder that AA and the 12-step program requires participants to announce who they are – not merely by name, but by one’s addictive behavior. Similarly, psychotherapy commences when the patient enters the room and admits that one has a problem.
This week’s Torah portion demonstrates the power of redemptive determination. A great sage once stated that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come!
May 2024 bring expression and fulfilment of our resolve – as nations, communities and individuals!
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Redemption begins with determination.
Between friends or family, it may start with a sincere apology.
Among nations it commences with discussions about negotiations.
In the inner self, New Year’s resolutions require initial inner willpower.
In Torah, our release from slavery and redemption from oppression began with God’s outright declaration, in this week’s Torah portion:
“Say, therefore, to the Israelite people: I am יהוה. I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements. And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God. And you shall know that I, יהוה, am your God who freed you from the labors of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:6-7)
This assertion includes four compelling verbs of deliverance (in italics), which reiterate and build God’s message of resolve to free the Israelites. The text may appear familiar, and it should be. These are the words which form the foundation of the Passover Haggadah, and offer the structure of four’s – four questions, four cups of wine, etc. on which the Seder is based.
And, this statement is the beginning of our redemption. Such transformational moments do not arise out of thin air. They commonly follow pronouncements. Abraham Lincoln offered his first inaugural address. Similarly, Dr. King announced that he had a dream. So, too, John F. Kennedy declared his intent to put a man on the moon by the end of the decade.
Redemptive change requires intentional resolve.
It works accordingly in family interactions, international relations, and inner change and attention. No wonder that AA and the 12-step program requires participants to announce who they are – not merely by name, but by one’s addictive behavior. Similarly, psychotherapy commences when the patient enters the room and admits that one has a problem.
This week’s Torah portion demonstrates the power of redemptive determination. A great sage once stated that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come!
May 2024 bring expression and fulfilment of our resolve – as nations, communities and individuals!
With Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
