External lowliness but with internal refinement-The lesson for our times:

The exodus from Egypt is a fundament of our faith which is Biblically required to be remembered daily. After slight contemplation of the Jews during the times of the Exodus, an interesting picture unfolds which relates to our very times. In Egypt the Jews were found within the 49 depth of evil. We served idolatry and forgot the great fundament of our forefathers which included the belief in one G-d.[1] Even one moment longer in Egypt would have left the Jews in the 50th level of impurity from which there was no return or salvation. G-d out of his great love for us, did a great miracle and took us out before it was too late.[2] It would appear then that we certainly were a group of great sinners during our stay in Egypt and were on a very low spiritual level. On the other hand, it states[3] that specifically the servitude and slavery in Egypt is what refined us enough to be able to receive the Torah, which is a merit that even our forefathers did not receive. Until the slavery in Egypt we had too much evil mixed into our souls which prevented the Torah from being given. The slavery in Egypt served as a refinery that removed the waste and evil from the good and holy. Thus, we find ourselves in a paradox; were the Jewish people in Egypt great sinners or people that were reaching the spiritual heights of becoming G-d’s chosen people? This paradox can be answered as follows: One cannot judge based on external actions. Yes, externally the Jewish people were great sinners while they were in Egypt. They denied the greatest fundaments of our faith and lost the foundation of Judaism. At the same time, however, an inner elevation was occurring that was not visible to the naked eye; a refinement of the soul that allowed the Jews to be on a level to receive the Torah. The same applies in today’s generation: Although we are spiritually lower in our observance, love, fear and dedication to G-d, than previous generations, nevertheless the good actions that we do perform are worth so much that they are even considered an elevation of level in comparison to previous generations.

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[1] Rambam Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 1:3 [This was with exception of the tribe of Levi-ibid]

[2] Rambam ibid

[3] Torah Oar Yisro 74a