Torah Reading: Vayechi

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Passover's Essential Message

by Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

What's wrong with being a slave? The real reason God set us free.

Published: March 21, 2010

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Visitor Comments: 8

(8) Noam Leviton, March 25, 2010 6:05 PM

HaShem gave us freedom so that ...

as free men we could choose to become servants to HaShem. Without freedom to choose, there is no story. HaShem, through love, took an abject people lifted them to dignity and allowed the freedom so that we could choose 'life and the good' - to love HaShem, our G-d, walk in his ways, and follow his mitzvot. Thank you Rabbi Solomon (and jpost) for allowing me this space to think through your excellent video more fully.

(7) Noam Leviton, March 25, 2010 4:22 PM

And what of Avadim Hayenu?

Shalom Rabbi, This was your best video (so far) and a classic. Yashir koach. For the fun of asking, how did herut (freedom) become a part of Pesach? And what of singing Avadim Hayenu?עֲבָדִים הָיִינוּ לְפַרְעֹה בְּמִצְרָיֽם עַתָּה - בְּנֵי חוֹרִין Avadim hayinu lepharo bemitzrayim, ata – benei chorin We were slaves to Pharoah in Egypt - now we are free. Just something to think about. (bless you, Rabbi!)

(6) Anonymous, March 25, 2010 5:29 AM

Printed version?

Shalom, This is wonderful insight, is there a way to get a printed version? Giving credit of course to Rabbi Salomon. Thank-you, Ellen Buck

(5) Sandy, March 25, 2010 2:57 AM

THANK YOU!!!!!

Thank you. THAT is what is all about.

(4) Paul, March 24, 2010 11:10 PM

Happy Passover

Good point & certainly something to think about. Happy Passover Rabbi Salomon & everyone

(3) Leah, March 24, 2010 6:01 PM

Thank you, Rabbi Salomon, once again for giving us positive reinforcement for our Pesach seders. Chag kosher V'Sameach!

(2) Anonymous, March 24, 2010 4:22 AM

G-d pleaser not man pleaser--NO longer pleasing the Pharoah's. We were set free so we can please G-d in all things.

I understand what you are saying Rabbi, you may have freak some people out with it, if they didn't understand. Moses was a servant of G-d. G-d empowered him to not be subjected to Pharoah, to be able to let G-d work through him, and instrument, so the Hebrew people could get out of bondage and set free. He learned this when he was in the wilderness all those years. He received this from G-d. Then he was able to come back to Egypt doing G-d's will, as G-d's servant. After they all left Egypt, Moses continued to be G-d's servant and G-d's mouth piece to the people. We do have free will, so slave can give an image that we do not have a choice. "Come let us reason together" So it can be a two-way conversation. It is just that G-d's plan is much better. Sometimes we are a little slow in seeing it G-d's way. So did Moses, he made excuses, reasoning with G-d that he wasn't gifted in speech to do what G-d had said. Was Moses trying to get out of it? No, he just couldn't see himself doing what G-d was asking him to do, they reasoned together, till Moses was convince G-d was going to be with him, and help him. G-d set them free, to make covenant with them and all the Hebrew people in the future. The saying you can't please everyone so just please yourself. Change the yourself to G-d. That is what it means to not be subject to man, but to be subject to G-d.

(1) Miriam, March 23, 2010 3:54 PM

Freedom resonates within our hearts in the 21st century

The word "Freedom" has been ingrained within those of us who live in the "free world" as a right to make our own choices. Prominent among these is Freedom of Religion. How do we as Jews reconcile freedom and servitude? Most of the Jews I know express their religious freedom by not keeping kosher, by not regularly attending services, by not dressing modestly. They would disagree with you message because of the disruption, inconvenience and expense this servitude would entail. I hope that when we all sit at our Passover seder meals, eat the traditional foods, drink the wine and enjoy this Festival, that we remember the how blessed we are to be Jews and how important it is to carry Judaism into future generations. I cannot imagine that all Jews will heed your message that we are now free to be servants of Hashem. I can only pray that it will be so.

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About the Author

Rabbi Yaakov Salomon

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Rabbi Yaakov Salomon, C.S.W. is a noted psychotherapist, in private practice in Brooklyn, N.Y. for over 25 years. He is a Senior Lecturer and the Creative Director of Aish Hatorah's Discovery Productions. He is also an editor and author for the Artscroll Publishing Series and a member of the Kollel of Yeshiva Torah Vodaath.

Rabbi Salomon is co-author, with Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of the best selling book "What the Angel Taught You; Seven Keys to Life Fulfillment," (Mesorah), and is also the co-producer of the highly-acclaimed film, "Inspired."

Click here to order Yaakov Salomon's new book, Salomon Says: 50 Stirring and Stimulating Stories.

In these marvelous stories -- brimming with wit, understanding, a touch of irony and a large helping of authentic Torah perspective -- we will walk with a renowned and experienced psychotherapist and popular author through the pathways of contemporary life: its crowded sidewalks, its pedestrian malls, and the occasional dead end street. This is a walk through our lives that will be fun, entertaining -- and eye-opening. In our full -- sometimes overfull -- and complex lives, Yaakov Salomon is a welcome and much-needed voice of sanity and reason.

His speaking, writing and musical talents have delighted audiences from Harvard to Broadway and everything in between. Rabbi Salomon shares his life with his wife, Temmy, and their unpredictable family.