A Night of Watching

Introducing the new essay collection, "Plagues and Promises: A Post October 7 Commentary on the Book of Exodus"

This weekend, Jews throughout the world will begin reading from the Book of Exodus. At this time I’m pleased to introduce to you a unique new commentary on this biblical book, with a particular focus on how the particular themes of Exodus played out in the immediate aftermath of the atrocities of October 7, 2023 and the subsequent war. It’s called Plagues and Promises: A Post October 7 Commentary on the Book of Exodus (available on Amazon), edited by my friend and colleague Rabbi Menachem Creditor. The essays in it present a snapshot of where American Jews - particularly religious leaders - stood at the earliest stages of the trauma, the depth of the pain and the vibrancy of the spiritual response.

While it is still too soon to put a bookend on the war, maybe with the current cease fire we have reached Churchill’s proverbial “end of the beginning.”

My contribution to the collection is an essay the on the portion Bo (begins at Exodus 10:1), which covers the tenth plague and the night of the Passing Over. It’s based on an essay that appeared in this Substack, comparing the Destroyer’s passing-over the homes of Israelites in Egypt to the massive Iranian attack last April. Israelis stood vigil in safe rooms, as their ancestors did thousands of years ago, while Iran's 300 Angels of Death passed over them (or never made it into Israeli airspace). It was a remake of Exodus 12, with drones. A Night of Watching.

We can only pray that the coming weeks will bring a true end to the violence and sadness that have afflicted the region for so long.

Sounds like a perfect moment to bring back the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, as we pray for peace for all innocent parties, and an end to hatred and strife.

As the front page of Yediot Achronot proclaimed in banner headlines today - “There is a Deal - 33 hostages to return home in the first phase.”