What happened?

Alex is raving to a government official: “I love communism, I would give away everything for it! If I had a million rubles, I would give it all to the party! If I had a horse, I would donate it to the party! If I had a store, I would give all its income to the party!”

The official turns to him and says: “If you love the party so much, then I’m sure you’ll gladly give up the three chickens you have in your backyard, correct?”

Alex: “Umm… not really…”

Official: “What’s goin’ on? A million rubles and a store you would give away, but when I ask for three chickens you suddenly back off?!”

Alex responds: “But the chickens I actually have…”

***

I was reminded of this story while learning a fascinating thought from the Midrash on this week’s Torah Portion, Vaeira.

But first let’s rewind a bit to the end of last week’s portion, Shmos, where we read how Moses brought the Jews the good news that the time had come for the redemption. When they heard the tidings, the Torah tells us, the Jews “believed”.

Fast forward just a few verses to the beginning of Vaeira, where we read how Moses repeated to the Jews what G-d had told him – “…I will take you to Me for a nation, and I will be unto you a G-d…” Surprise! Suddenly the big believers “would not listen to him…”!

Hey, one second! Didn’t they just believe? Why did they suddenly clog their ears? Once a believer always a believer! Two hundred years you held on to the faith, and now, just because things got a bit worse, all is gone?

Ah! But the Midrash makes a powerful point. It’s like this:

The first time Moses came, he came like a politician full of promises, yet not asking for anything in return (besides the vote.) So they believed. True, it was admirable that after so long in exile they still had room for faith. And yet…

The second time he informed them that, once redeemed, they would be “taken as a nation” by G-d – which, in our language, translates into no more idol worship, no more freebee! Now this freedom had a price! Suddenly, believing wasn’t so convenient. As they say, zei mir gezunt… No thanks.

It’s easy to philosophize, to declare and affirm our beliefs. Yet those ideals must translate into actions; otherwise, they don’t account for much.

Say it, declare it, mean it and promote it.

And then do it. Whatever the cost.