What Does it Mean to be Free?
Tomorrow, we celebrate America’s independence; our freedom. Whereas July 4 is by no means a Jewish holiday, its themes of independence and freedom are central to Judaism.
The first time we are called Israelites is by the enslaving Pharoah. And so, our identity stems from the fact that we were slaves and then we became free.
At almost every prayer service, we celebrate our freedom when we sing Mi Chamocha, which recalls the climactic moment when the Israelites walked safely thorough the middle of the Red Sea.
But just what does it mean to be free?