The manner in which they ate the Korban Pesach reflected Bnei Yisrael’s readiness for immediate journey. In his commentary, the Sforno emphasizes their bitachon, trust in Hashem. He writes, “They demonstrated their implicit trust in Hashem by preparing themselves for the road while they were still in prison.” Horav Moshe Schwab, z”l, takes note of this remarkable trust in the Almighty. Bnei Yisrael had been subject to such inhuman servitude for hundreds of years, that they no longer knew the meaning of the word “freedom.” Even after Moshe had notified them of their imminent redemption, they still continued to function under the same conditions of harsh slavery as they had before.
The miracles that appeared and disappeared did not seem to leave a permanent impression upon Pharaoh. Obviously, Bnei Yisrael’s trust in Hashem was not a result of anything they perceived; it was the product of pure bitachon in the Almighty. Moshe relayed Hashem’s message to Bnei Yisrael. They responded immediately, preparing for the geulah, liberation, while they were still incarcerated in Egypt.
This implicit trust, this unequivocal reliance upon Hashem, is the touchstone of bitachon. This attitude imbues us while we are in the final galus, as we await the advent of Moshiach. Everything we do, wherever we go, we should reflect the same “chipazon,” haste, as we exhibited when we prepared for the auspicious moment of our redemption from Egyptian slavery.
All too often, we forget our real purpose on this earth. Horav Schwab cites an anecdote from the Chafetz Chaim which clearly communicates our mission in this world. A Jew once came to visit the Chafetz Chaim and was surprised by the overwhelming poverty in the house. He asked the Chafetz Chaim, “Pardon me if I am presumptuous, but where is your furniture?” The Chafetz Chaim reponded by questioning the visitor, “And where is your furniture?” “I,” responded the guest, “am only a visitor here.” The Chafetz Chaim retorted, “So too am I only a visitor on this world. Therefore I do not concern myself with setting up more than temporary accommodations.” We must all remember that we are on this world only with “visitor” status, as we await that clarion call of the shofar which will sound our final redemption.
