A local Jew posted a pic of himself participating at a protest today for the police killing in Minneapolis. I messaged him: Isn't it dangerous to be out there during covid? isn't it illegal to congregate? His answer shocked me: "If its important to you, then you take risks".
This man is so scientific and liberal, he is for the shelter at home to remain in place till at least November. Yet when something is important to him, he is willing to take the risk.
This indeed is the story of the Jewish people, they left Egypt not knowing where they were being taken to. Some Jews said: Let us return to Egypt, זכרנו את הדגה אשר נאכל במצרים, we are not allowed to take the risk, it is pikuach nefesh, the Torah does not allow us to continue in the desert.
Others argues that circumcision is definitely prohibited, because it's safek Pikuach Nefesh, who knows if a baby can survive in the desert after a surgery. Most yidden followed their leaders who proclaimed "We are being machmir in Pikuach Nefesh and will not preform the mitzvah of Bris Milah", "The same torah that asks us to circumcise our children, tells us not to in the desert.". They may have even studied the laws of bris in lieu of Bris. Only Shevet Levi - the tribe of Levi, circumcised their children. Hashem rewarded them and before his passing, Moshe remind the yidden כי שמרו אמרתך ובריתך ינצורו, and Rashi explains וישראל לא היו מלין את בניהם והם היו מלים.
Bnei Yisroel only merited to receive the Torah because they took the risk with Moshe Rabeinu. Why did they take the risk? Because when something is important to you, you take a risk.
Happy Shavuos
