Unconditional Love

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The Exodus from Egypt was a noteworthy event. Yet, four days after the Exodus the Egyptians decided to chase after the Jews. In yet another dramatic experience G-d dried the Red Sea and led the Jewish people through to safety. When the Egyptians entered the waterbed G-d returned the water to its place, thus drowning them. At that glorious moment the Jewish people truly rejoiced in their salvation.

The record of the salvation is written in the Torah and treasured by the Jewish people. In the public Torah reading on Shabbos, there is even a special tune for some of these verses of thanksgiving. One of the verses which was chosen to be pronounced melodiously is the verse, “The waters were like a wall on the right and on the left.” The fact that this verse was chosen to be sung in the special thanksgiving tune is a bit of a problem.

You see, when the Jewish people walked through the dry waterbed not everyone rejoiced. The Medrash tells us that the angels expressed confusion at the miracle. At the time of the Exodus, there were some Jews who felt they couldn’t leave all vestiges of idol worship behind. They had taken an idol with them from Egypt that would later be used by straying Jews after they arrived in the land of Israel. The angels looked at the scene and asked G-d, “Why are You performing a miracle for the Jews, and are prepared to drown the Egyptians? Can’t You see, they are both idol worshippers.”

In fact, when the Torah writes the word “Chomah” which means “wall”, it does so without the letter “vuv”. The commentaries say that this hints at a double meaning. The word can also be read as “Cheima” which means “anger”. This is a hint that the walls of water were not pleased with their task of protecting the Jewish people. They saw slight vestiges of idol worship among the Jews, and were not pleased with the miracle they were told to perform.

Apparently G-d decided that the misdeed of taking the idols would not deter Him from performing the miracle of salvation. Still one wonders, if the verse “the waters were like a wall,” can also mean “the waters were angry,” why would we sing it melodiously when we read it in the Torah?

I am reminded of a story I once heard from a friend of mine whose son was going through a serious period of teenage rebellion. The young man had performed three major offenses inside of a week, and my friend realized that as the father he would have to sit down with his son for a heart to heart talk.

As my friend mounted the steps to his son’s room there was anger in his heart. Yet, as he approached his son’s room his professionalism as a guidance counselor enabled him to achieve self-control. “If I was consulted by a father in such a situation, what would I advise him to do?” he wondered. Then, with self-control and determination, he knocked on the door and entered the room.

He sat down facing his son, and began to talk. “You know son, it seems like you are testing me. Three major incidents in one week… It seems like you are testing me. But I am up to the test. Try me. Try the biggest offense that you can, and you will see that my love for you is even greater.”

When the angels saw the idol that some Jews couldn’t leave behind they got deeply offended. “Why would G-d save such people,” they wondered. G-d also saw the idol, but in it He saw an opportunity. “Save them anyway, “ G-d declared. “I see they are testing me. Tell them that My love is greater than their testing.”

The song of thanksgiving which we read this Shabbos is much more than the story of the Exodus. It is the story of G-d Who says, “My love is even greater than your shortcomings.” We will yet have to address those shortcomings. But in terms of our relationship: I love you unconditionally.

Unconditional love is a powerful concept that cannot be applied to every relationship. Yet we would do well to remember it in the relationships of those who are close to us. Parents, children, siblings, and your spouse, are relationships that are worthy of unconditional love. Let our love be greater than the ups and downs. Let us internalize the melodious lesson of G-d’s love for us.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos.

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