Exodus from Ignorance
"With our youngsters and with our elders shall we go, with our sons and with our daughters." (Shemot 10:9)
This was the defiant response of Moshe to Pharaoh's attempt to restrict the participation of youth in the service of G-d.
As we hear this proud declaration read in the weekly Torah portion this Shabbat, we cannot help but see it as a prophetic preview of the commitment of Jews throughout history to the religious education of its youth.
It is indeed a source of pride that after such a devastating experience as the destruction of Torah centers in Europe, the Jewish People have succeeded in Israeland throughout the world in reviving Torah education on every level. But it is a source of pain to see so many youngsters who are not being given an opportunity to connect with the tradition of the elders who maintained their faith despite everything.
It is our hope that all of our people will heed the call of Moshe and join in providing an exodus from ignorance for our sons and daughters which will secure Israel forever.
