Then the Eternal said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am the LORD.”
— Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-11)

Scholars reveal that there are two interwoven stories hidden in the familiar account. One involves deception. Moses asks Pharaoh to allow the Israelites to go three days into the desert to worship their God and then promises to return to Egypt. Pharaoh agrees, then retracts and each time Moses returns he asks for more liberties. The plan is to gain permission and never return. Freedom is gained by deception. The second story embedded in the first is the account of the plagues. It is a pitched battle between the forces of the Israelite God and the forces of Pharaoh, Egypt’s god incarnate. The stories were intricately woven together by a subsequent Biblical editor. (For more on this interweaving of stories, check out this article.)

Which is the preferred path to freedom? Trickery or violence? The Torah makes no judgement.

More often than not, Torah doesn’t provide answers, it raises powerfully meaningful questions.  In this case, and the question relevant to our times is: How does one dissent? We have witnessed, for the first time in American history, a militant, terroristic dissent that is the very model of what democracy cannot allow. Protests, marches, rallies, even powerful speech are vital to securing the will of the people. Insurrection, incentive to violence, and deceptive sedition undermine that very will and the democratic institutions that we value.

On the morning of a new administration, it is our responsibility as proud citizens to be judicious and responsible in our dissent and careful in our speech. Words and ideas matter, they are the very guardians of the system that affords us the liberties we cherish.

How will you exercise your rights to free speech and liberty responsibly in the year ahead?

— Rabbi Ron Stern