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Why were Jews killed during the plague of darkness for not wanting to leave Egypt, rather than for their idolatry? The word 'chamushim' reveals that the 20% who left were also 'armed' - prepared for the journey to Eretz Yisrael. The defining merit wasn't religious observance but maintaining a vision of redemption and refusing to see Egypt as their permanent home.
This shiur addresses fundamental questions about the Jewish experience in Egypt and the selective nature of the redemption. The speaker begins by examining Rashi (רש"י)'s explanation that Jews were killed during the plague of darkness because they didn't want to leave Egypt, questioning why this was the reason rather than their involvement in idolatry or low spiritual level. A key paradox is explored: how could the Jewish people simultaneously be praised for maintaining their Hebrew names, language, and dress while also being described as reaching the 49th level of spiritual contamination, practicing idolatry, and not circumcising their children? The resolution comes through analyzing the word 'chamushim' in Parshas Beshalach, which means both 'one-fifth' (20%) and 'armed.' The Torah (תורה) reveals that the 20% who left Egypt were the same ones who were armed - prepared for the journey to Eretz Yisrael. This demonstrates that the defining characteristic separating those who were saved from those who perished was not their level of religious observance, but their vision and desire to leave Egypt for the Promised Land.
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Parshas Beshalach - chamushim, Parshas Bo - plague of darkness and Pascal lamb
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