בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
Painting by: Baruch Nachshon z”l
The Secret of the Four Exiles: From the Overturned Pyramid to the Dawn of Redemption
The painting before us is not merely a visual depiction but a spiritual roadmap of Jewish history. Through its complex symbols, we learn that every exile is a preparation for redemption, and every foe carries within them the root of their historical defeat.
- The Root of All Exiles: Egypt and the Crown of Impurity
At the base of the painting, we see the overturned pyramid. Egypt is the “Nakedness of the Land,” the root of all exiles and the source from which all subsequent kingdoms descend. In Kabbalah, the Egyptian exile is considered the Keter (Crown) of the “Other Side”—the source of all subsequent suffering.
The crocodile appearing there is the distinct symbol of Pharaoh, as stated in the prophecy of Ezekiel: “Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great crocodile that lies in the midst of his rivers” (Ezekiel 29:3). The overturning of the pyramid symbolizes God’s promise to upend the natural order and topple the pride of wickedness, as occurred on the night of the Exodus.
- The Exile of Ishmael: Abraham’s Donkey
In the center of the pyramid, we find the figure of the donkey. Our Sages teach (in Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezer) regarding the verse in the Binding of Isaac, “Stay here with the donkey,” that this refers to Ishmael, who is likened to a donkey.
The connection between Ishmael and Egypt in the painting is essential: Hagar, Ishmael’s mother, was an Egyptian princess. Thus, the current struggle against the descendants of Ishmael is a direct extension of the Exodus from Egypt. The defeat of our foes today is a branch growing from the root of the great victory over Egypt “in those days and at this time.”
III. “And Our Labor”: The Face of Edom
The four exiles shown in the painting correspond to the four letters of the Tetragrammaton (the Name of God), with the fourth and longest exile being Edom.
- The Swine: Edom (Rome and its successors) is likened to a swine. Just as a swine stretches out its hooves to show it has the external sign of kashrut (split hooves) but lacks the internal sign (chewing the cud), so too Edom presents a facade of culture and morality while inward cruelty resides.
- Amalek: The appearance of the swastika reminds us that the Nazis were a continuation of Amalek, the grandson of Esau (Edom). They sought to destroy the Jewish body, but the Holy One, Blessed be He, saves us from their hand.
- The Point of Light: The Pillar of Fire and the Dove of Israel
Amidst the darkness, a pillar of fire emerges, carrying the eternal symbols of Israel:
- The Dove: “My dove in the clefts of the rock”—the Assembly of Israel is compared to a dove that finds no rest except under the wings of the Divine Presence.
- The Olive Branch: The dove carries an olive branch, the symbol of our yearning for peace. We declare: “I am peace, but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalms 120:7). Israel desires peace but knows how to battle when necessary.
- The Twelve Leaves: These correspond to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, united under the protection of the Tallit.
Summary: “And it Happened at Midnight”
The painting connects us back to Hebron—the place where Abraham first set out for the first Jewish battle to save Lot. The Midrash says Abraham fought at midnight. Measure for measure, God fought the Egyptians at midnight on Pesach.
Through the merit of our forefathers and the self-sacrifice of Israel, we pray that today, in the “midnight” of this fourth exile, the verse from the Haggadah be fulfilled: “Bring near the day which is neither day nor night… brighten like the light of day the darkness of the night.”