Rabbi Howard Morrison

At the Hebrew University in 1983-4, I took a class on traditional Torah commentary with the legendary Nechama Leibowitz. Her class was entitled, "From slavery to freedom," and focused on the first fifteen chapters of Sefer Shmot, the book of Exodus.

This week, we begin to read that second book of the Torah anew. When we hear such transitional statements as "from darkness to light, "from narrow straits to expansiveness," "from subjugation to redemption " - the imagery of Pesach comes to mind. Indeed, such phrases appear in the Haggadah right before Hallel.

Similarly, these expressions appear in the very first printed prayerbook, known as "Seder Rav Amram," from the tenth century. In Ashkenazic liturgy, these sentiments of hope appear in the weekday Shacharit as part of a series of statements after the Torah is lifted.

While these expressions resonate with the Biblical Exodus from slavery to freedom, the ideas pertain to any time our people have been subject to persecution.

Nowadays, this brief prayer, which begins with the words, "Acheinu Kol Bait Yisrael - Our brothers and sisters the whole house of Israel," speaks to the horrors of October 7, 2023 and the reality of Jews confronting hatred in many parts of the world. 

A beautiful and inspirational melody now exists for this prayer. Whether one reads or sings it, I encourage us to recite these words individually and in group settings during these challenging times.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison