There is a story told of a great king who had an only son. He loved his son very much, and wanted him to travel the world, learning about new cultures and gaining experiences. So the king gave his son money and supplies, and sent him off to wander. The young prince traveled for many years, during which time he began a new life, slowly forgetting his life in the palace, and even forgetting the language of his native land. Finally having used up the money his father had given him, he began working menial jobs and conducting himself like a commoner. All memory of his father was gone and he could no longer remember his previous life. One day, he heard that the king (his forgotten father) was planning a parade through the city. And he desperately needed a pair of shoes. And so he intended to bring his request to the king. As he stood on the side of the avenue, he watched as the king’s carriage passed by. Suddenly realizing he didn’t know the royal language, he became despondent, for now he couldn’t ask the king for his new shoes. He began weeping bitterly, and his muffled cries, becoming louder, reached the king’s ears. He recognized his long lost son’s voice, and was heartbroken to realize his son wasn’t crying because he longed to back with his father….but because he wanted a simple pair of shoes. At that moment, he could have asked his father for anything, but he forgot who he was. All he could think of was a pair of shoes.
In the Parsha this week, Moses and Aharon approach Pharaoh, asking him to let the Jews leave Egypt. In response to their request, Pharaoh decided to increase the Jews’ workload to an unbearable level. Moses tries to comfort the people, telling them their redemption is so close, G-d will soon lead them to freedom. But as the Torah relates, “They did not heed Moses, because of shortness of breath and hard work.” Like the prince in our story, the Jewish people had become so mired in Egyptian slavery, obsessed with their immediate surroundings, that they couldn’t even bear to listen to Moses’ words. They forgot who they were, and forgot G-d’s promise to their ancestors.
Each of us is a prince or princess. At any moment of the day, we are able to cry out to Avinu Sh’bashamayim, Our Father in Heaven. Throughout our lives, we have countless opportunities to be close to Him by learning Torah or following His commandments. But all too often, we forget who we truly are, and all we can think about is a pair of shoes….
In the Parsha this week, Moses and Aharon approach Pharaoh, asking him to let the Jews leave Egypt. In response to their request, Pharaoh decided to increase the Jews’ workload to an unbearable level. Moses tries to comfort the people, telling them their redemption is so close, G-d will soon lead them to freedom. But as the Torah relates, “They did not heed Moses, because of shortness of breath and hard work.” Like the prince in our story, the Jewish people had become so mired in Egyptian slavery, obsessed with their immediate surroundings, that they couldn’t even bear to listen to Moses’ words. They forgot who they were, and forgot G-d’s promise to their ancestors.
Each of us is a prince or princess. At any moment of the day, we are able to cry out to Avinu Sh’bashamayim, Our Father in Heaven. Throughout our lives, we have countless opportunities to be close to Him by learning Torah or following His commandments. But all too often, we forget who we truly are, and all we can think about is a pair of shoes….
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