always remember, never forget!

Today, the threats of anti-Semitism and the hate for Israel seems not on the uprise, but in fact worse than any other time in recent memory. Whether it be an increase of Holocaust deniers, the corruption of Replacement-Theology, the deception of the BDS movement or the murder of member of Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, the end result has been the same where many in and outside of the Jewish community feel of uncertainty and notable concern. 
 
As we consider these troubling times and as evildoers call for Israel to be pushed into the sea, one’s can easily consider both Jewish history and this week’s Parashah and the Miracle of Passover as seen in Exodus 10:1-13:16. 
 
From both a spiritual and historical perspective, it is impossible to discuss Jewish history or that of the Nation of Israel without first considering the foundational events of our exodus from Egypt, and our deliverance from a life of bondage and forced generational servitude! For 400 years our ancestors served without hope as slaves in Egypt, for as our Sages remind, “If the Holy One, blessed be He had not delivered us then, we would still be slaves in Egypt.” In the end, it was God and God alone who delivered us from our oppression and he alone has given us a hope and a future! 
 
As one Jewish commentator notes, 
 
“Parashah Bo contains the narrative of the final three plagues [upon Egypt], culminating in the dramatic release of the Jewish people from their oppressive exile and the first leg of their momentous journey into the desert.  In this parashah, we witness the mighty Egyptian empire brought to its knees, its idols crushed, and its arrogant Pharaoh reduced to begging for his life.” 
 
To this point, in Exodus 13:3 we read, 
 
“Moshe (Moses) said to the people, Remember, this day, on which you left Egypt, the abode of slavery, because Adonai, by the strength of his hand, has brought you out of this place …”.
 
From this passage, God is reminding us to remember his love never forget his faithfulness in all that he had delivered us from and called us to in his name. So easily we can fix our eyes on the circumstances of our lives, and quickly forget that in God’s mercy and “by the strength of his hand” we are safe because he has always been our Savior and Deliverer! 
 
At Beit Hallel, we are a community committed to knowing God in Messiah Yeshua and making him known, because he and he alone is the Hope of Israel and all the nations of the world! It has never been our own efforts or acts of righteousness that has saved us, but instead his love for us alone. We have an Endless and Eternal Hope because we serve a God who will never leave us or forsake us! 
 
Come and visit us at Beit Hallel and experience the love and faithfulness of Adonai!
 
Brachot,

Rabbi Mark Rantz
Beit Halllel Messianic Congregation 
​Ocala, FL.