Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16)
“Let my people go, that they may worship me.” (Exodus 10:3)
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin aptly writes, “Perhaps the most famous political demand in all history is the one Moses directs at Pharaoh: ‘Let my people go!’ In the three millennia since, this verse has repeatedly been appropriated by oppressed groups…When cited at political rallies, Moses’ words are edited: The second part of his statement, ‘that they may worship Me,’ is omitted. In the biblical worldview, however, freedom is not a value in and of itself, but only when it is also used to worship God.”
I absolutely love Rabbi T’s insight on this. Freedom is the most important value of all extra-biblical cultural values. Freedom for freedom sake. I think of Mel Gibson’s interoperation of the historical figure William Wallace in Braveheart who is willing to sacrifice everything on the altar of freedom. Being an American with a national historical identity rooted in freedom earned through rebellion against the crown of England, and living in Haiti, who’s own history is even richer still with a history of earned freedom via rebellion, I’ve had my share of dialogue about freedom.
Telushkin reminds us that “In the biblical worldview, however, freedom is not a value in and of itself, but only when it is also used to worship God.”
One of the most neglected dimensions of salvation is that we are liberated to become slaves. Prior to salvation, prior to the circumcision of the heart, prior to sanctification, it’s not even an option to be sold out to the well-being of anyone other than ourselves. The freedom that comes from the cross is liberation from the shame, guilt, and punishment for sin; at the same time, we’re freed from these things so that we now have the unprecedented option of living an others-centered life. Prior to sanctification, we’re not free to serve others. We’re enslaved to the self-service.
This is the idea at the heart of G-d’s statement here in Exodus 3:10. God frees us – not to moral autonomy, but to now have the privilege to serve with a fully-committed heart. Freedom.
(Telushkin, Joseph (2010-09-28). Jewish Literacy (p. 32-33). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. )
