When we speak about Passover, we are not speaking about a historical event, but about an inner process that every person must go through. The entire story of Egypt, Pharaoh, Moses, and the exodus is happening within us.

There are two main forces in a person. One is the force of Pharaoh—our ego, which separates us, distances us from others, and keeps us confined within our narrow, self-centered perception of reality. The other is the force of Moses—a small point within us that awakens and begins to pull us toward something higher, to unity, connection, and the revelation of life’s ultimate meaning and purpose.

At a certain stage in human development, we begin to feel that our ego no longer satisfies us. It becomes restrictive and suffocating. Then, we begin to ask about the meaning and purpose of our lives. This awakening is the point of Moses within us.

But at the same time, the ego, which is represented by Pharaoh, grows stronger. It resists, separates us, and hardens our heart. “Heart” in this instance refers to our egoistic desires, those that are self-serving at the expense of others. We feel an inner struggle. On one side, we posses........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)