My father, of blessed memory, had a saying: “If everyone jumps from the roof, it does not mean that you should.” I have carried those words my entire life. This Passover, they feel more urgent than ever.

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, only 20% of Jews followed him. He did not wait for the rest. He did not dilute his message to build a bigger tent. He did not run a popularity contest. He carried a clear, uncompromising truth and trusted that those who were ready would follow. The other 80% chose to stay, and were absorbed into Egyptian society.

That lesson has never been more relevant than it is today.

The Pharaoh Who Would Not Listen

The Passover story is not just a story about Egyptian cruelty. It is actually a story about institutional failure in the face of clear warning. The Israelites did not attack Pharaoh. They confronted him peacefully, again and again, before each of the ten plagues. Each time, the warning was given. Each time, Pharaoh refused to listen. The suffering of the Egyptian people was not inevitable, it was a direct consequence of their leader’s stubbornness and refusal to accept the truth.

The parallel to today is uncomfortable but unavoidable. The Palestinian Arab leadership has been offered peaceful coexistence nine times — in 1937, 1939, 1947, 1967, 1978, 2000, 2008, and 2020. Each time, the offer was rejected. Each time, war followed. Each time, Jews defended themselves and survived. Like Pharaoh, the Arab leadership has repeatedly refused to accept a reality they do not want — that Jews have the right to sovereignty, safety, and a home. Perhaps the tenth time will be different.

Survival Through Strength, Not Dilution

Jewish history is a record of survival against overwhelming odds,........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)