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Beit Midrash
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The Mechilta (Halachic Midrash) on Bo[1] says that the great haste in the Exodus encompassed all the factors involved – the Egyptians who rushed to expel the Jews, the Children of Israel who hastened to leave, and Hashem who hastened to deliver them: "Rabbi Yehoshua says: '…you shall eat it in haste' – this is the Israelites' haste…Or perhaps this verse refers to the haste of the Egyptians? The words '…for they were driven out of Egypt' refer to the Egyptians' haste! Abba Chanan, in the name of Rabbi Elazar, says: 'It is the haste of the Divine Presence! Although there is no absolute proof of this, we can find an allusion to it: 'The sound of my beloved! Behold he cometh, leaping over the mountains, skipping over the hills!' (Song of Songs, ch.2, 8)."
What is the significance of this haste? Why is it emphasized as a main feature of the Exodus from Egypt? Interestingly, we encounter this emphasis once again in a pasuk in D'varim (ch. 16, 3) – "…for seven days you shall eat with it matzot, the bread of affliction, for in haste you came forth out of the land of Egypt, so that you shall remember the day you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life." The Torah here chooses to focus on haste, in particular, as characterizing Passover and as a reason for the commandment to eat matza. The Maharal[2], and subsequently Rav Kook[3], wrote that the haste reveals a basic principle intrinsic to the salvation of Am Yisrael."'For seven days you shall eat with it matzot…for in haste you came forth out of the land of Egypt', for their departure in haste, in no time at all, demonstrates the elevated spiritual quality of the deliverance from Egypt. Natural events are subject to time, but Israel's redemption was above and beyond nature, and thus – was swift and outside the dimension of time."
Haste therefore expresses something that does not take place by means of a dilatory, gradual process which is typical of nature. Haste symbolizes the metaphysical. The Exodus from Egypt was a divine, supernatural process. That is the reason for Hashem's "leaping", passing over the houses of the Israelites, and the matzot being baked in haste. The Rambam (Maimonides)[4] explains that the laws of Korban Pesach – roasting the meat, the prohibition of breaking a bone – are meant to ensure haste. This haste teaches us that the Exodus is far too sublime to adhere to the laws of nature. It must be achieved by super-natural means.
The events of Exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Sea had a profound effect not only on Egypt, but on the whole world. The plagues affected all the forces of nature, and began the process of their perfection. The parting of the sea was a climactic divine revelation in nature, stemming from Hashem's intervention on behalf of His nation. There is a broader, universal significance to these events – beyond the particular salvation of Israel. These events signify the beginning of the restoration of the world to its ideal state ("Tikun Olam"). The Exodus was the "inauguration" of the war against the powers of evil in the world. The sublime level revealed in the haste of the Exodus was a momentous innovation of universal significance.
This explains why - immediately after the parting of the Sea – Amalek came to fight Israel. The great message of our Exodus to freedom, the call for morality, justice and striving for perfection and awareness of divine presence – alarmed the nations. Amalek reacted by attempting to fight and revolt against this call.
We have seen that Am Yisrael's redemption does not proceed according to the laws of nature; it is supernatural. We should remember this during difficult periods in the course of our redemption. Let us continue to believe in the Divine Providence surrounding us, and hope to see Hashem's speed in bringing about our complete salvation.
[1] Chapter 7, 44.
[2] In his preface to "Ohr Chadash", and in his commentary on the Haggada, p. נ"ג "For their departure in haste…"
[3] Ma'amrei Re'iyah p. 165, Olat Re'iyah part 2 p. רפ"ז.
[4] Guide for the Perplexed, part 3, ch. 46.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
