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At a Birthright Israel breakfast I attended this week, renowned author, political columnist and ardent Zionist, Gil Troy, who also serves as chair of Birthright Israel’s Education Committee, was the featured guest. Among the topics he discussed, Troy, a resident of Israel, noted that despite the present turmoil and demonstrations concerning the controversial changes proposed by Israel’s new right-wing coalition, Israelis are - when necessary for the safety, security and wellbeing of the country - still able to transcend hard-headedness, hard-heartedness, and intransigence for the sake of peoplehood.

Gil Troy’s comments – a message also lifted up in the most recent edition of Daniel Gordis’ podcast “Israel from the Inside” – struck me as quite timely in light of the words of Torah we read this week. The portion (Bo) includes the last of the three plagues brought upon Egypt and opens with a reference to Pharaoh’s hardened heart, stubbornness and refusal to free the Israelites from bondage. The devastation of the land caused by the plagues is so severe that even Pharaoh’s servants implore him to let the Israelites go to serve their God: “Do you not know yet that all Egypt is destroyed?!” However, Pharaoh – as we are reminded each time we come to this passage of Torah – is so set in his ways and beliefs that he is past the point of bending, no matter the consequences.

While we, of course, know the ultimate outcome and celebrate the redemption of the people of Israel both in our daily prayer (Mi Chamocha) and at Passover when we read the Haggadah, these verses should also invite serious personal reflection and introspection. Are there areas in our personal lives where the intransigence of Pharaoh has taken control of our hearts?!  And if so, are there any greater values, aspirations, or purposes which could help us transcend them. We read in Talmud that “One should be soft and pliable like a reed, and not hard like a cedar” (BT Ta’anit 20a). May we always strive to realize the vision of peace and goodness among us and soften out our stubborn spots to help bring that vision to fruition.