Every year at the Passover seder, we read Ezekiel's allegorical description of the Israelites in Egypt:

"You grew big and tall. You came with great adornments and were beautiful of form, with flowing hair. But you were naked and bare." (Ezekiel 16:7)

The prophet describes the Jewish people as being large and numerous, yet, at the same time, impoverished and barren. Physically, Jacob's family of seventy souls had developed into a great nation. Despite Egyptian persecution and oppression, they had succeeded in becoming a large people. Morally and spiritually, however, they were "naked and bare."

What about the "great adornments" that the verse mentions? What was this 'jewelry' of Israel?

Grandiose Jewels

These special 'jewels' symbolize two special traits of the Jewish people. The first trait is a natural propensity for spirituality, an inner determination never to be separated from God's holiness.

The second 'jewel' is even greater, beyond the natural realm. It is the unique spirit of Israel that always aspires to a lofty national destiny. Even in their dispirited state as downtrodden slaves in Egypt, their drive for national purpose smoldered like a glowing coal. It burned in the heart of each individual, even if many did not understand its true nature.

For the Hebrew slaves, however, these special qualities were like priceless diamonds pinned on the threadbare rags of a grimy beggar. The people lacked the basic character traits of decency and integrity. They were missing those ethical qualities that are close to human nature, like clothes that are worn next to the body.

Without a fundamental level of proper conduct, their unique yearnings for spiritual greatness had the ludicrous effect of precious jewelry adorning one lacking proper clothing. "You came with great adornments... but you were naked and bare."

(adapted from Olat Re'iyah vol. II, p. 276)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison