Congregation Anshe Sholom - From The Rabbi

The Rabbi's Message

“G-d Hears Our Cries”

Rabbi Ely J. Rosensveig

When G-d charged Moses at the Burning Bush to bring forth His people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt, Moses cries (Ex. 3:11): But, who am I that I should go unto the Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? Rashi, a French commentator of the 11th Century, suggests that Moses here expresses both his profound humility and his sense of the unworthiness of the Jews. By what merit, he thought, did they deserve to be taken out of Egypt to freedom by no less than the strong hand and outstretched arm of the Almighty Himself?

G-d had, in fact, already answered Moses’ query. He said (Ex. 3:9): “Behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto Me.” And, further, it says: “and the children of Israel sighed from the bondage, and they cried, and their cry for help went up unto G-d from the bondage.” And, G-d heard them groaning, and He remembered His covenant with our forefathers.

The Spanish exegete of the 13th Century, Nachmanides (“Ramban”) wrote that G-d hid His face from our ancestors, and they suffered ignominiously in consequence. Yet, they were not fit to be redeemed. But, because they cried, He could no longer hide His face from them. Hashem could not help but feel their pain, all that was done to them, all that they suffered at the hand of oppression. Because the Jews cried, G-d accepted their prayer with mercy, and redeemed them. Their agonized cries and their heartfelt prayer stirred Hashem to compassion.

With all of our troubles today, might it be said that G-d has hidden his face from us? Do we deserve better? Have we merited His redeeming hand of salvation? Can we not at the very least cry to Him for help? Can we not sincerely pray for His mercy?

Come, my dear friends in faith. Join me at Shul. Let us pray together so that we may bestir the heart of the Holy One, Blessed Be He. And, may He answer us with His merciful bounty.

In dear, devoted friendship,

Ely J. Rosenzveig, Rabbi

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