We learn from Parshat Beshalach that our fear can be our own stumbling block. The fear of the unknown, the fear of change and the fear of something worse causes us to not realize that there can also be something better. God worried that our fear could cloud our better judgment. The first verse in this parsha says that after Pharaoh sent the Jews out of Egypt, Hashem did not take them through the land of the Plishtim (Philistines), because Bnei Yisrael would go back to Egypt if they saw that they needed to fight a war. Then, Bnei Yisrael continuously questioned being taken out of Egypt, because they were being chased or going through minor challenges that having faith in God could easily fix.

The Jews had just witnessed the hand of God in the 10 plagues, yet God was still taking into consideration that they would be willing to go back to Egypt, because of their fear of war. They, themselves, were taking into consideration if leaving would be the correct action to take, after all that God had done for them. To them, it was better to die as slaves—than die at war—or go through new minor struggles. Their fear caused them to lose sight of God and His greatness. They were ready to stick with what they knew for fear of change and the unknown. They had a chance to win and—even if they would lose—wouldn’t it have been better than being overworked slaves? To them, their fear made them think that slavery was even better.

Nowadays, how many of us take chances? How many of us let fear stop us? Take the fear out of the equation and ask yourself, “Is this the right decision?” My blessing to you all is that—while you love and fear God—you don’t fear change and the unknown, because by fearing it, we lack judgment and we drift from our trust in God and miss out on great opportunities. There is nothing to fear, if you believe that Hashem is with you in everything you do.

By Shira Sedek