An example for the realization of Gal (see this post/podcast), as delivered in… Exodus (second book of Torah).
The fundamental thesis of the “Gal Post” is that the repeated cycles of exile (Galut) and salvation (Geula) of the Jewish people aimed at a single Divine mission:
To spread recognition of Jehovah to the nations of the world.
This endeavor, carried out by the Jewish people throughout generations of agonized Jewish history, had been assigned to the Jews with Abraham’s Covenant, and thence in repeated assertions of the Covenant at Mount Sinai and later on (as described in Torah).
The two monotheistic faiths, emerging from Judaism, are testimony to the triumph and success of this endeavor.
Surprisingly, a demonstration to realization of the mission, as prescribed by Gal, is delivered in… Exodus (second book of Torah).
Israel is in exile (Galut) in Egypt. Moses, with his older brother, Aharon, are called upon to go to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and demand:
“Let my people go”.
The story of the transformation of the king, his change of heart, from total denial of the existence of Jehovah, to recognizing the concealed “God of the Israelites”, to asking for Jehovah’s blessing — this story is unfolding before our bewildered eyes in Exodus.
The following verses describe Pharaoh’s initial attitude towards Jehovah (denial), and the process of Pharaoh’s fundamental transformation (acceptance):
- Start: Complete denial:
“And Pharaoh said: Who is Jehovah that I should obey his voice to let Israel go; I know not Jehovah, nor will I let Israel go” (Exodus 5:2);
- Then: Admission; recognizing the uniqueness of Jehovah:
“And Pharaoh sent to call for Moses and Aharon, and said to them: I have sinned this time. Jehovah is righteous and I and my people are wicked. Entreat Jehovah that there be no more mighty thundering and hail…” (Exodus 9:27-28);
“And Pharaoh hurriedly called for Moses and Aharon, and he said: I have sinned against Jehovah your God and against you; Now, forgive my sin only this once, I pray thee, and entreat Jehovah your God that He removed from me this death only” (Exodus 10:16-17);
- Finally, asking for Jehovah’s blessing:
“Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone and bless me also” (Exodus 12:32).
Haim Shore Blog 