Free for now

So,there the Jews were, running from Egypt because, I suppose, they knew in their hearts that the Pharoah would quickly change his mind about allowing the Jews to go free. And sure enough, the Pharoah did change his mind, sending his armies after the Jews, giving chase. There had been a plan to go one way, but when it became apparent that the Egyptian army was nipping at the heels of the Jews, God sent the Jews on a detour that led them right to the banks of the Red Sea. And it was there that God pulled out yet another miracle in keeping with his promise to free the Jews. That miracle was the parting of the Red Sea. Perhaps it was just a low tide at the right time. Or perhaps the sea truly parted. Either way, the Jewish people made it safely across the sea. The Egyptians not so much: as they followed on the heels of the Jews, the waters rose up once again. Every one of them drowned.

Safely on the other side of an ocean, the Jews rejoiced. They were free. Not free from affliction forever. But for now, they were no longer slaves in Egypt.

And it is this story that Jews remember on Passover when they gather for their Seder.

YC