On Sunday night, Let’s Get Real with Coach Menachem featured Rabbi Jonathan Rietti, a renowned speaker and author. Rabbi Rietti taught that the true starting point of liberation is when Hashem revealed Himself at Har Sinai to B’nei Yisrael, declaring, “I am your Power of Powers.” The verse uses “asher,” indicating that Hashem joyfully brought us out of Egypt, celebrating our devotion in performing two mitzvos – bris milah and korban Pesach – with immense self-sacrifice, even slaughtering the Egyptian god in their presence.
Why does the verse describe Egypt as the “house of slavery”? Rabbi Rietti explained that Hashem freed us not only from physical bondage but from the mentality of slavery. The word “Mitzrayim” derives from “meitzar yam” – meitzar meaning boundary and yam symbolizing potential. Mitzrayim represents the limitations we place on ourselves by saying, “I cannot.” The middle letters of “Pharaoh” (ra) signify negativity and self-doubt, reinforcing these barriers. Pesach, meaning “mouth that speaks,” offers the solution: Open your mouth and speak to the One Who liberated you.
The first mitzvah we received was emunah (faith). After witnessing Hashem’s miracles in Egypt and His revelation at Har Sinai, we understand that He controls all powers and can free us from internal slavery, no matter the challenge. Rabbi Rietti shared a story of an addict who realized his issue wasn’t the drug but his flawed thinking that drugs could escape negative thoughts. Changing our mindset transforms our actions.
Every night in Maariv, we say that Hashem brought us out for eternal freedom. Rabbi Rietti clarified that true freedom is internal, independent of external circumstances. If happiness depends on others’ opinions, they control us. Rebbe Nachman teaches that real freedom is simchah – focusing on the good in life. This mindset enables better decisions, unshackled from others’ behavior.
Rabbi Rietti noted that smiling, laughing, dancing, or playing music physically enhances our well-being, increasing heart rate and opening veins and capillaries by 30 percent, accelerating healing. Body and mind are partners; the heart signals the body. We can only change ourselves, but through our thoughts and feelings, we influence others.
By Susie Garber
