CHUTZPAH
noun.
- a refusal to be limited by imaginary boundaries and physical resources; the confidence to pursue incredible ambitions, and a relentless attitude to never let actions be influenced by fears.


Just a few days back we welcomed the month of Nisan/Abib/Aviv, also known as the Beginning of Months, but not the Beginning of The Year, which is the seventh month (Tishri). I know it is difficult for some to understand this, but to put it plainly, just consider the new year to be like the day one was born, while the beginning of months, the day something spectacular happened in someone's life. This is how it is viewed in Judaism. My sister asked me how she will convince members of her mission as to the difference between the aforementioned times, seeking to know if there's a passage she could quote for them from the bible. The truth is, she won't find a reference for the seventh month as the new year, anywhere in the bible, because it forms part of the oral Torah, which for every Jew is considered with such importance as much, and as well as the written Torah.


Back to Nisan, it is a very important month in the life of a Jew, not just because of it being the month where the great feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are celebrated, but much more because of its connotations and significance. For this, I would like to focus on the simple things that we often overlook, when thinking about the the Exodus that followed the Feast of Passover, as recorded in the Bible. Not many recognise the subtle mentions of opposition to Moses' divine mission to bring his people to freedom, and though we cannot also tell how widespread this opposition was, it was there, and it is in fact stated that it is for the reason of that opposition, that the journey of forty days, became forty years, until the generation that questioned the Exodus were altogether wiped out in the wilderness.


Why would anyone question and/or oppose freedom, you may ask? Don't many of us do same today? According to the Bible, at the time of Moses, Egypt was at the peak of its strength, the place to be for anyone in those days, the USA of its time, and just like the latter at the time, it did have a slavery issue. There were house slaves, as well as field slaves, with the former getting a better deal than the latter. For both however, it was difficult to fathom a better prospect in a wilderness (which unfortunately they had to endure staying for longer than they were led to believe apparently, which provided further cause to wonder and ponder at whether the promise hadn't become a pipe dream), or even a promised land, which was already occupied (sounds familiar?), and would require engaging in war(s) before it can become theirs, compared to their reality as slaves, a comfort zone (more or less), especially for the house slaves.


Slaves could also accommodate the thought of a possibility of the easing of their labour in future, either due to the ascension to the throne of a more pliant, empathic and considerate Pharaoh, who may even grant them their freedom. In some quarters, that may be considered a more rational route than that which Moses, who was once with the oppressors, before going on exile, only to return with a fabulous story of a redemption plan, could ever suggest. To think that Moses would also lead "the struggle" (with what we know about freedom fighters today), while at it, with his brother at his side, and much later as Aaron the Priest, as well as his sister, Miriam as Prophetess. Later members of his own tribe, the Levites would be the spiritual leaders, leaving others to wonder if this wasn't a ploy to claim headship over the other tribes. Would you not have at some point entertained thoughts like these had you been of a different tribe to Moses, as an Israelite? Do you still wonder why there were rebels, all the way even up to the cusp of the promised land? Don't we all accuse government officials today of nepotism, even when those affected are cousins, or tribesmen of those in power, talk more members of their immediate families? Certainly, it is true that the children of Israel were severally accused of been stiffnecked in those heady days, but was it without cause?


Let us examine another angle. I had earlier stated that the chief empire at the time was Egypt, and not a few people would love to be where things happen, just like it was the in thing to be a roman citizen, when the Romans held sway. It is also possible that people would've loved to be part of the history that was been made at the time, and this without getting into the controversy about who did or didn't build the pyramids, sphinx etc, and whether or not the Jews were there at the time it was built. Egypt remained a location that attracted the powers at its peak, and even after it lost its paramount position (as it continued to court greats like Alexander, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony etc) couldn't be overlooked by empires after it. I would suppose that the lives of slaves would amount to nothing, and even though they lived in the midst of groundbreaking history, they couldn't be thrilled about it while doing their mostly backbreaking work, but there must have been some certain privileges that a slave in Egypt would have, over slaves in less developed parts of the world at the time. Interestingly, that much is alluded to, when while in the wilderness some disgruntled Jews asked Moses, "Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness." - Exodus 14:12 (KJV). Also this, "Why has YAHWEH brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” - Numbers 14:3 (NKJV).


We would be wrong to assume that it was all the Hebrews that were slaves in Egypt. You can see from the American experience that some of the best slave catchers at the time were blacks, and they made quite some fortune from the misfortunes of their fellow black men, amongst several others who had other assignments or privileges that placed them above their peers. So likewise, there'd be Israelites whose lives were cosy in Egypt, who felt that the fortunes of the Israelite would be better with Egypt, than anywhere else on earth, not to talk of some desert, as wanderers, to serve a deity that seem to have had them abandoned for centuries, despite all their fathers told them about HIS awesome powers. At the time of Moses, Egypt had more promise than Israel, and any so called "right thinking" person would have preferred to stick with promise, than an Israel that might look promising, that is in the absence of slavery, or starting off in the wilderness.


This is where the way of YAHWEH comes in. The Egypt that was then the toast of the world because of its achievements and developments, is still today the toast of the world, but only for reason of archeology and anthropology. The afterlife they craved, paying attention to the minutiae of details to ensure that their journeys to the great beyond meets with the least of inconveniences, in the way they preserved the bodies of their elite, and not so elite, have today been serially desecrated, first by tomb robbers, and later by less malevolent others, in the name of archeology and history. The carcases/mummified remains of great "God-Kings" are now mere spectacles at museums, some far away from the lands where they used to hold sway, while many of their earthly possessions, adorn even the homes of unscrupulous art dealers and purveyors. Their Egypt? Severally attacked and plundered, with the present inhabitants, far removed from the epoch making ones many times over, as civilization upon civilisation, and empire upon empire happened upon Egypt.


And the slaves? Though their story started in the wilderness, through a tumultuous history, never lost sight of the great redemption accorded them from Egypt. The code that emanated from the wilderness where they wandered for forty years, have served nations for millenia in terms of jurisprudence. The people, though a tiny percentage of the world's population, continue to contribute disproportionately to humanity's progress in virtually all aspects of life. All of that, and so much more, simply because the majority agreed with Moses to choose freedom over bondage, regardless of how cosy it might have been. Understanding, that slavery in whatever form or kind, is what it is, slavery. When we celebrate Passover, it is said that we reenact the night in which the Hebrews gained their freedom from Egypt, indeed we are to put ourselves in the shoes of the Hebrew on the night, like we were in Egypt, when YAHWEH delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt, with a mighty hand.



The fact that the time this happened was declared for the Jew, as the Beginning Of Months, even though there was a subsisting calendar, with the year beginning in what would be the seventh month, suggests that we should place a premium on freedom, if possible, over everything else, in all ramifications. This is where Chutspah comes in, to be woven into the fabrics of our existence, in our thoughts, words and deed. Anything less than that will be bondage (Egypt), from which we are forbidden to return. Chag Pesach Sameach!


'kovich


PASSOVER: FREEDOM OVER BONDAGE https://madukovich./2021/03/24/passover-freedom-over-bondage/

madukovich:
CHUTZPAH
noun.
- a refusal to be limited by imaginary boundaries and physical resources; the confidence to pursue incredible ambitions, and a relentless attitude to never let actions be influenced by fears.


Just a few days back we welcomed the month of Nisan/Abib/Aviv, also known as the Beginning of Months, but not the Beginning of The Year, which is the seventh month (Tishri). I know it is difficult for some to understand this, but to put it plainly, just consider the new year to be like the day one was born, while the beginning of months, the day something spectacular happened in someone's life. This is how it is viewed in Judaism. My sister asked me how she will convince members of her mission as to the difference between the aforementioned times, seeking to know if there's a passage she could quote for them from the bible. The truth is, she won't find a reference for the seventh month as the new year, anywhere in the bible, because it forms part of the oral Torah, which for every Jew is considered with such importance as much, and as well as the written Torah.


Back to Nisan, it is a very important month in the life of a Jew, not just because of it being the month where the great feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are celebrated, but much more because of its connotations and significance. For this, I would like to focus on the simple things that we often overlook, when thinking about the the Exodus that followed the Feast of Passover, as recorded in the Bible. Not many recognise the subtle mentions of opposition to Moses' divine mission to bring his people to freedom, and though we cannot also tell how widespread this opposition was, it was there, and it is in fact stated that it is for the reason of that opposition, that the journey of forty days, became forty years, until the generation that questioned the Exodus were altogether wiped out in the wilderness.


Why would anyone question and/or oppose freedom, you may ask? Don't many of us do same today? According to the Bible, at the time of Moses, Egypt was at the peak of its strength, the place to be for anyone in those days, the USA of its time, and just like the latter at the time, it did have a slavery issue. There were house slaves, as well as field slaves, with the former getting a better deal than the latter. For both however, it was difficult to fathom a better prospect in a wilderness (which unfortunately they had to endure staying for longer than they were led to believe apparently, which provided further cause to wonder and ponder at whether the promise hadn't become a pipe dream), or even a promised land, which was already occupied (sounds familiar?), and would require engaging in war(s) before it can become theirs, compared to their reality as slaves, a comfort zone (more or less), especially for the house slaves.


Slaves could also accommodate the thought of a possibility of the easing of their labour in future, either due to the ascension to the throne of a more pliant, empathic and considerate Pharaoh, who may even grant them their freedom. In some quarters, that may be considered a more rational route than that which Moses, who was once with the oppressors, before going on exile, only to return with a fabulous story of a redemption plan, could ever suggest. To think that Moses would also lead "the struggle" (with what we know about freedom fighters today), while at it, with his brother at his side, and much later as Aaron the Priest, as well as his sister, Miriam as Prophetess. Later members of his own tribe, the Levites would be the spiritual leaders, leaving others to wonder if this wasn't a ploy to claim headship over the other tribes. Would you not have at some point entertained thoughts like these had you been of a different tribe to Moses, as an Israelite? Do you still wonder why there were rebels, all the way even up to the cusp of the promised land? Don't we all accuse government officials today of nepotism, even when those affected are cousins, or tribesmen of those in power, talk more members of their immediate families? Certainly, it is true that the children of Israel were severally accused of been stiffnecked in those heady days, but was it without cause?


Let us examine another angle. I had earlier stated that the chief empire at the time was Egypt, and not a few people would love to be where things happen, just like it was the in thing to be a roman citizen, when the Romans held sway. It is also possible that people would've loved to be part of the history that was been made at the time, and this without getting into the controversy about who did or didn't build the pyramids, sphinx etc, and whether or not the Jews were there at the time it was built. Egypt remained a location that attracted the powers at its peak, and even after it lost its paramount position (as it continued to court greats like Alexander, Julius Caesar, Mark Antony etc) couldn't be overlooked by empires after it. I would suppose that the lives of slaves would amount to nothing, and even though they lived in the midst of groundbreaking history, they couldn't be thrilled about it while doing their mostly backbreaking work, but there must have been some certain privileges that a slave in Egypt would have, over slaves in less developed parts of the world at the time. Interestingly, that much is alluded to, when while in the wilderness some disgruntled Jews asked Moses, "Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness." - Exodus 14:12 (KJV). Also this, "Why has YAHWEH brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” - Numbers 14:3 (NKJV).


We would be wrong to assume that it was all the Hebrews that were slaves in Egypt. You can see from the American experience that some of the best slave catchers at the time were blacks, and they made quite some fortune from the misfortunes of their fellow black men, amongst several others who had other assignments or privileges that placed them above their peers. So likewise, there'd be Israelites whose lives were cosy in Egypt, who felt that the fortunes of the Israelite would be better with Egypt, than anywhere else on earth, not to talk of some desert, as wanderers, to serve a deity that seem to have had them abandoned for centuries, despite all their fathers told them about HIS awesome powers. At the time of Moses, Egypt had more promise than Israel, and any so called "right thinking" person would have preferred to stick with promise, than an Israel that might look promising, that is in the absence of slavery, or starting off in the wilderness.


This is where the way of YAHWEH comes in. The Egypt that was then the toast of the world because of its achievements and developments, is still today the toast of the world, but only for reason of archeology and anthropology. The afterlife they craved, paying attention to the minutiae of details to ensure that their journeys to the great beyond meets with the least of inconveniences, in the way they preserved the bodies of their elite, and not so elite, have today been serially desecrated, first by tomb robbers, and later by less malevolent others, in the name of archeology and history. The carcases/mummified remains of great "God-Kings" are now mere spectacles at museums, some far away from the lands where they used to hold sway, while many of their earthly possessions, adorn even the homes of unscrupulous art dealers and purveyors. Their Egypt? Severally attacked and plundered, with the present inhabitants, far removed from the epoch making ones many times over, as civilization upon civilisation, and empire upon empire happened upon Egypt.


And the slaves? Though their story started in the wilderness, through a tumultuous history, never lost sight of the great redemption accorded them from Egypt. The code that emanated from the wilderness where they wandered for forty years, have served nations for millenia in terms of jurisprudence. The people, though a tiny percentage of the world's population, continue to contribute disproportionately to humanity's progress in virtually all aspects of life. All of that, and so much more, simply because the majority agreed with Moses to choose freedom over bondage, regardless of how cosy it might have been. Understanding, that slavery in whatever form or kind, is what it is, slavery. When we celebrate Passover, it is said that we reenact the night in which the Hebrews gained their freedom from Egypt, indeed we are to put ourselves in the shoes of the Hebrew on the night, like we were in Egypt, when YAHWEH delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt, with a mighty hand.



The fact that the time this happened was declared for the Jew, as the Beginning Of Months, even though there was a subsisting calendar, with the year beginning in what would be the seventh month, suggests that we should place a premium on freedom, if possible, over everything else, in all ramifications. This is where Chutspah comes in, to be woven into the fabrics of our existence, in our thoughts, words and deed. Anything less than that will be bondage (Egypt), from which we are forbidden to return. Chag Pesach Sameach!


'kovich


PASSOVER: FREEDOM OVER BONDAGE https://madukovich./2021/03/24/passover-freedom-over-bondage/

Wetin concern Christian with passover?