The end of this month will mark three years since Britain left the EU yet the debates and disputes continue.  I bear that in mind reading the parshiyot that deal with the Exodus from Egypt – getting out is only a small part of the story.

 

In Parshat Bo, when Moshe once again ask Pharaoh for the Jews to leave Egypt, he clarifies that the Jews intend to take all their cattle with them.  Pharaoh counters and says that they can only take what they will actually need to serve G-d (Shemot 10:9-11).  Later, in his final speech to Pharaoh, Moshe warns Pharaoh that the Jews will take everything and leave nothing behind and he explains, “We will not know with what we are to serve Hashem until we arrive there” (Shemot 10:26).

 

Part of being a servant of Hashem is that we don’t always know what will be expected – it is about searching and considering and seeking guidance to figure out the right path

 

This is more than a technicality – Moshe is laying out the foundations for life as a servant of the Almighty.  If we are to truly leave the service of Pharaoh and commit ourselves to the service of God we must be able to commit ourselves to whatever may be asked of us.  Part of being a servant of Hashem is that we don’t always know what will be expected – it is about searching and considering and seeking guidance to figure out the right path.  It is about being committed to doing the right thing and being flexible to do the will of God in whatever situation we find ourselves.

 

Not knowing how things will turn out is not something we would wish for but as Jews we also remember that we always have somewhere to turn to be guided.  Whatever happens, our commitment to the Torah and its ethical principles will help us find direction under any circumstances, in any time or place.