Benny Friedman I SHIR | MOTZEI ASIRIM – NEW SONG

Right before Shemoneh Esrei each morning, we praise Hashem as the One Who is “motzi assirim u’fodeh anavim ve’ozer dalim ve’oneh le’amo be’eis shavam eilav — withdraws the captives, liberates the humble, and helps the poor; Who responds to His people upon their outcry to Him.” When the Bnei Yisrael left Mitzrayim, Hashem said to them (Shemos 13:4), “Hayom atem yotzim be’chodesh ha’aviv — Today you are leaving, in the month of spring.” Rashi asks: Didn’t the Jews know that they were leaving in Nissan, which is in the spring? Why must this fact be pointed out? Moshe was not merely telling the Jews the month on the calendar, but he was drawing their attention to Hashem’s kindness, Who took them out of Egypt in a month known for its pleasant weather, a month appropriate for travel. Dovid writes in Tehillim (68:7), “Motzi assirim ba’kosharos — He takes out prisoners when it is fitting,” where Rashi explains that this is referring to the fact that Hashem freed the Bnei Yisrael during a month suitable for journeying. Had He redeemed them from slavery in extremely hot weather, or even amid freezing temperatures or during a period of rain, they would have been thrilled to at least be free. But Hashem wished to demonstrate His immense love for them, and so He brought them out in the month of spring, when the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and the sky is bright blue. Why? Because He loves us.

On Zos Chanukah, our dear friend Reb Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin was finally freed, after eight years of incarceration. Hashem could have worked it out that Sholom Mordechai was redeemed on any day, and we would have all been overjoyed. And yet, He orchestrated it that Sholom Mordechai was liberated on the last day of Chanukah, a day of special miracles, to demonstrate His love for Sholom Mordechai — and for us. Yes, Hashem withdraws the captives and responds to us when we cry out to Him. And as we say in bentching, He will keep on doing this: “Hu heitiv Hu meitiv Hu yeitiv lanu. Hu gemalanu Hu gomleinu Hu yigmeleinu la’ad — He did good, He does good, and He will do good to us. He was bountiful with us, He is bountiful with us, and He will forever be bountiful with us!”