An Exodus, according to my dictionary, is a departure from a particular place involving a large number of people. The Jewish Exodus from Egypt was such a vital part of our history, that the second book in the Torah is called “Exodus”. Within the pages of Exodus, one can read the account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and through the desert to Mount Sinai. It is there that we entered our covenant with G-d.

The narrative of the Exodus contains many symbolic lessons that can still be applied today. When we read the story during Passover, one might consider being a slave, leaving Egypt, and arriving at a destination. But, do we truly take pause to understand what our ancestors experienced? What would it be like to live a life minus the freedoms we are accustomed to? What might happen if we had to leave our homes and our belongings spontaneously and abruptly? How would we survive wandering in the desert led by our faith?
Egypt characterizes a society of materialistic influence. During our time in the desert, that control resurfaced. When Moses did not come down from the Mountain at the specified time, the Jewish people began to get nervous. A golden calf was constructed, a waiver in our faith. Our charge from that point forward was to make holy – or to use in holy ways – the material things in our world and our lives.

In the desert, the jewels, the gold, and the silver were used to build the Tabernacle and to do mitzvot. Our wealth (not necessarily financial) and our actions today should also be dedicated for the good of doing mitzvot. It is easy in today’s society to fall into a life of competition, wanting more luxuries, and neglecting a greater purpose to living.

In the desert, we survived and thrived on manna. We needed little else to feel satiated and taken care of. Our lesson here is that when we awaken our faith and reliance in G-d, we will be taken care of. We will be better able to focus on the things we NEED rather than what we WANT.

In today’s world, with so much emphasis on being green and conserving what we have, the Jewish people especially are charged with the task of stepping back and taking steps to ensure that we are doing what we can to guarantee our world will be a livable place in the future. Furthermore, not only do we need to make certain there is a physical space in which to thrive but that our children and their children are being given the proper values with which to guide their lives.

An exodus – or departure – can be a challenging task even if it is something that is welcomed. As we read, once again, about the greatest Exodus in the history of the Jewish people, may we also consider the things in our own life we ought to leave behind.