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By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin
Bnei Yisroel’s dream of leaving Mitzrayim is finally becoming a reality. With HaShem’s yad chazaka, His strong hand, they are able to break free from the shackles of slavery and become a nation.
Their story is one made of miracles. A story retold time and time again. Shared with our children, m’dor l’dor, from generation to generation.
This week’s parsha, Bo, tells us “l’ma’an t’sapair b’oznei vincha u’ven bincha, a story you should relate to your sons and grandsons…. your children and grandchildren.” (Shemos 10:2) It is the story of HaShem’s supreme power, bringing upon the downfall of the mighty Egyptian empire. The story of our journey from slavery to freedom, from oppression to becoming the chosen people.
Rabbi Yosef Dov Soloveitchik zt”l teaches that the word sippur, a story, is related to the word sofer, a scribe. We are entrusted with the monumental task to be sofrim, to write our personal sippur, the story of our lives. It’s incumbent upon us to live a life of value, purpose and worth. A life of morals and ethics, Torah and mitzvos. A life story that we can be proud to leave as a legacy to our descendants.
We are living in historic times. The book is being written about October 7. So many special stories. So many heroic scribes, creating memories that will leave their mark on future generations.
I think of all the reservists who were out of the country on that fateful day, be it in Europe, the US or the Far East. Upon hearing about the war, they dropped everything and headed to the airports, trying to get on the first flight back home. I am reminded of Ezra Yachin, who at ninety-five is the oldest reservist in the IDF. He insisted on being with his fellow soldiers, to share encouraging words, to boost their spirits as they headed into the unknown.
I think of the mothers who sent their sons off to war. They said their good-byes with tears in their eyes, prayers on their lips, and pride in their hearts. So many soldiers – all of them, someone’s son, daughter, husband, father.
I think of Iris Haim, whose hostage son, Yotam, was mistakenly killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza. She reached out to the soldiers with words of forgiveness. She invited them to come and visit her family.
I think of the volunteers of Hatzalah and Zaka, who put their heart and soul into their work. Dedicated volunteers who witnessed atrocities that no one should ever have to see.
Many chapters will be written about the war effort. The restaurants that went kosher, so that they could prepare meals for the soldiers. The many chareidim whose homemade meals and incredible volunteerism brought together the secular and the religious. The people from all walks of life, who came to Israel to farm the land.
The sippur of October 7 continues. The stories of countless people making a commitment to HaShem, to Torah and mitzvos. All the soldiers who started wearing tzitzis and putting on Tefillin, and all those who were happy to donate the funds to supply them with this spiritual armor.
It is the story of Natalie Assour, who, upon hearing the terrorists’ gunshots, pleaded with HaShem – if You save me and my children, I will take upon myself to keep Shabbos. HaShem responded to her sincere cry – the terrorists left her home, she and her family were saved. She kept her part of the deal, starting to observe Shabbos from that day on.
Roi Assaraf was at the Rave with his wife. They made a quick exit in their car, only find themselves surrounded by terrorists. With his foot on the gas and his head down, he called out Shema Yisroel. They merited a miracle from HaShem, a miracle that saved them and brought them and their family to a Torah life.
I saw a clip of a soldier who was near Kibbutz Be’eri when the terrorists invaded. He went into hiding, and the only ammunition he had with him were six words – Shema Yisroel, HaShem Elokeinu, HaShem Echad. He heard gunshots and RPGs, and just repeated the words of Shema over and over again. Eventually, all was quiet, and he emerged from his hiding place with the realization that there is a HaShem in the world.
Sadly, there are also stories of heartbreak. Of the horrific massacre that took 1,400 innocent lives in one day. 126,000 people displaced, 136 hostages still in captivity – amongst them 40 children.
We just passed day 100 of this terrible war. Parents of hostages converged on the Gaza border. They had loudspeakers, and called out their children’s names. With tears rolling down their cheeks, they all had the same message. It’s Ima, it’s Abba. We love you. We are here for you. We are doing everything to bring you home. Messages of love and faith. Never giving up. Hoping their children would hear them and be strengthened.
The book, the sippur, is still being written. We must ask ourselves, what will my sippur be. What am I doing for Am Yisroel… for Eretz Yisroel. Are we there for our people. Are we sending support. Are we davening with extra kavanna, concentration. Are we living life with less treats, less perks. Are we really feeling the pain of our brothers and sisters.
Bo. Come. HaShem tells Moshe to speak to Pharaoh, but instead of saying lech, go, HaShem says bo, come. HaShem is telling Moshe that he is never alone, he has nothing to be afraid of. Bo. Come. I am with you. I have your back. I am protecting you.
During these difficult days and weeks, it is so clear that HaShem is with His people. The last and final chapter has yet to be written. The chapter of our final redemption from galus, from exile. Let us hope and pray that just as the redemption from Egypt came k’heref ayin, like the blink of an eye, so too will it come to us, b’meheirah b’yameinu, quickly in our time.
May we all be zoche to see Moshiach soon. Quick. In our time. Amein.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can reached at [email protected]
This article was written L’zecher Nishmas /In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l
