Rashi cites the famous controversy of Rav and Shmuel regarding “חדש ממש” (really new) and “שנתחדשו גזירותיו” (let his decrees be renewed). While Shmuel goes beyond the simple explanation and claims that only the decrees of the king were new, Rav asserts what we all understand in the simplest way – that a new king was appointed. Both Rav and Shmuel speak of a situation of renewal. Both of them explain that a different period has begun – a new period. Unfortunately, in this case it is not only new, but it is also difficult and terrible.

Why is it that the first time we hear the word “new” it has a negative connotation? After all, when a new year begins there is excitement at the prospect of a new beginning. When a new child is born, we are full of joy. When we receive something new, we are happy. How did this positive word get a negative context?

The truth is that “new” is actually nice, but “change”...that is something different.

Bnei Yisrael will undergo a big change in Sefer Shemot, and it will not be easy. During that time of change, it appears that Bnei Yisrael prefers the “known evil” and attempts to cling to the old world that they are familiar with, despite the fact that they are slaves that have to endure terrible suffering at the hands of the Egyptians.

Moshe will ultimately have to work very hard to get Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt, and he has to not only deal with Pharaoh, but he also has to convince Bnei Yisrael to leave Egypt and to walk away from a land where they experienced such hardship. When Bnei Yisrael leave Egypt and wander in the desert, they constantly remember the “life of comfort” that they left behind.

Yet, that is how we are today. Change is often seen as something difficult or threatening. Many of us would prefer to preserve the reality that we are currently in rather than moving towards achieving our larger goals. We would be content postponing the change a little longer or having someone else do it for us.

In the movie, Brooks ends up not being able to live outside the prison walls (sorry for the spoiler!).

As Sefer Shemot begins, we start focusing on the story of the exodus from slavery, which is a story that will change the world forever. I definitely believe that in order to deal with change, you need faith. It is time to switch from “Yaakov” mode to “Yisrael” mode. We must not wait for the change to happen – we have to initiate it.

Shabbat Shalom, 

Rav Rotem Shamay