CHABAD.ORG and OU TORAH Spirits in a Material World By Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

The Torah sometimes says something of fundamental importance in what seems like a minor and incidental comment. There is a fine example of this near the beginning of today’s Parshah. Last week, we read of how Moses was sent by G‑d to lead the Israelites to freedom, and how his initial efforts met with failure. Not only did Pharaoh not agree to let the people go; he made the working conditions of the Israelites even worse. They The people did not listen to Moseshad to make the same number of bricks as before, but now they had to gather their own straw. The people complained to Pharaoh, then they complained to Moses, then Moses complained to G‑d. “Why have You brought trouble to this people? Why did You send me?”