Great Wealth

This week’s Parsha brings to a stir the process of Redemption that eventually leads to the Exodus from Egypt. This process was foreseen by Abraham who was told of bondage and freedom. He was told in prophetic terms that “After this all they will leave with great wealth.”  Why is this promise relevant to the prophecy? Furthermore, is wealth a “payoff” for generations of bondage? As the rabbinic maxim goes: “We tell the bee neither your sting nor your honey”. What is the essence of the promise of great wealth?

Rabbi Dr. Joseph Soloveitchik answered these questions in a most brilliant way. He interprets the “great wealth” to be of a moral nature. The Jews would be under the thumb of the Egyptians for so long they would never, upon attaining freedom, wish to abuse or torment others. The emphasis the Torah places on properly treating society’s weakest elements (e.g. orphan, widow, poor) is a manifestation of this sensitivity. It is a “great wealth” indeed to value the rights of all. The Torah society knows no distinctions between classes and social groups. We too have suffered in our history. Why would we wish to mistreat others in turn?

It was very moving to hear clips of Martin Luther King’s “dream”  of the time where people would judged by characcter and not the color of their skin. For America, that day has arrived. For our community, it behooves us to act as always with dignity and respect for all people. The fear of Pres. Obama is some circles is almost manic. We judge all people as worthy and being in G-d’s image. This opportunity to extend our respect and good wishes to our new President, however we voted, is the latest manifestation of the “great wealth” we possess.

“Beloved is Man for he was created in the Image of G-d” (Pirke Avot).