And now imagine that you were a Jew in ancient Egypt. The same time and the same place. You have before you our teacher Moses and Aaron the kohen gadol. Moses, the greatest man who ever lived; Aaron, the shining figure of rock-like integrity who brought peace from Heaven down to earth. These two shining figures are going to lead you out of burning Egypt to Mount Sinai, where you are going to meet God Himself, Who will give you His Holy Torah.
The Egyptian is filled with despair; the Jew is suffused with light and joy.
What is different today? The nations crumble and decay, and we – l’havdil – stand on the brink of the Day of Mashiach. Yes, the nations can share our glory if they wish. All they have to do is bless us and help us. They also have free will. As it is written, “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3).
May we soon see the day when God wipes away all our tears and the Holy Temple once more stands in shining glory on the Temple Mount, never more to depart.