The Cost of Division: A Pesach Reflection

by Ram ben Ze'ev

The Cost of Division: A Pesach Reflection

In ספר שמות (Sefer Shemot – the Book of Exodus), the early life of משה (Moshe) reveals a pivotal moment that speaks volumes not only about our past, but also about our present spiritual state. Before the פלאות (pelaot – wonders) of גאולה (geulah – redemption), before the מכת בכורות (makat bekhorot – plague of the firstborn), before the קריעת ים סוף (kriyat yam suf – splitting of the Sea of Reeds), there was a solitary act in the sands of מצרים (Mitsrayim – Egypt) that nearly cost everything.

Moshe, still a prince in the house of פרעה (Paro – Pharaoh), goes out and observes the suffering of בני ישראל (Bnei Yisrael – the Children of Yisrael). He sees a מצרי (Mitsri – Egyptian) beating an עברי (Ivri – Hebrew), and in defence of his brother, Moshe strikes down the Mitsri and buries him.

The next day, he sees two Hebrews fighting and attempts to intervene. One retorts with a biting question:

"מי שמך לאיש שר ושפט עלינו? הלהרגני אתה אומר כאשר הרגת את המצרי?"

"Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? Are you saying you’ll kill me like you killed the Mitsri?"

And then the verse reads:

"וירא משה ויאמר: אכן נודע הדבר"

"Moshe was afraid and said: Indeed, the matter is known." (שמות ב:יד – Shemot 2:14)

On the surface, this is a moment of personal danger — Moshe realises that his action is no longer a secret. But according to חז״ל (Chazal – our Sages), and as brought by רש״י (Rashi), the meaning runs deeper. Moshe had wondered: why are בני ישראל suffering so terribly? Why has the hand of שמים (Shamayim – Heaven) allowed this bondage to continue?

But now he understood.

The matter that became known to Moshe was not merely his own act — it was the root of the entire גזירה (gezeirah – decree). He had witnessed betrayal from within, informers among the people, the bitter fruits of לשון הרע (lashon hara – evil speech), and שנאת חנם (sinat ḥinam – baseless hatred). The lack of אחדות (aḥdut – unity) among the people was not just a social weakness — it was a spiritual flaw with national consequences.

As long as the בני ישראל were divided, redemption would be delayed.

This realisation by Moshe is critical to understanding the deeper meaning of Pesach. The גאולה ממצרים (geulah miMitsrayim – redemption from Egypt) was not simply an escape from slavery — it was a spiritual transformation. Each plague, each wonder, each moment leading to יציאת מצרים (Yetziat Mitsrayim – the Exodus from Egypt) was part of a process designed to refine the people into a nation worthy of receiving the תורה (Torah) at הר סיני (Har Sinai – Mount Sinai).

But even before the miracles, Moshe had to see the truth: a people that could not stand united would not merit liberation.

Today, in our generation, as we sit at the סדר (Seder) table and retell the story, we must ask ourselves: have we repaired the damage of שנאת חנם? Have we learned the lesson Moshe learned in that moment of disillusionment?

To be free is not just to be unshackled — it is to be upright, united, and devoted to a shared spiritual destiny.

Let us use this Pesach not only to recall the redemption that was, but to ready ourselves for the redemption that will be — במהרה בימינו (bimherah beyameinu – speedily in our days).

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Bill White (Ram ben Ze'ev) is CEO of WireNews Limited, Mayside Partners Limited, MEADHANAN Agency, Kestrel Assets Limited, SpudsToGo Limited and Executive Director of Hebrew Synagogue.