Promises of Redemption

This week we read פרשת וארא, recounting seven of the Ten Plagues. The beginning of the Parsha discusses the four promises of redemption: והוצאתי והצלתי וגאלתי ולקחתי, all are words describing how Hashem would take us out of Egypt. The Netivot Shalom makes the comparison between a national redemption and a personal redemption. In Egypt, the slavery manifested itself in different ways. There was the aspect of being surrounded by terrible impurity that they needed to rise above. There was also the harsh labor that they were forced to do. And what may have been worse, was the oppressed state of mind that they were in. It was a strong grip on their psyche. They were unable to even think on their own. This is why the Torah refers to different levels of servitude. On a personal level, we are often stuck in our own form of servitude. We may be in a place surrounded by negative influences. We may be in a situation where we are overwhelmed by the intense confusion and pressure placed on us. It is difficult sometimes to think and get a grip on things. We need to cry out to Hashem to help release us from this personal bondage. When we rely on Hashem, we begin to see a way passed our troubles, until we are released and feel a personal redemption. Our Parsha is meant to give us hope. No matter how difficult the situation is that we are in, we can overcome just as our ancestors did in Egypt.