There's a famous story about the early Jewish immigrants to America. After the first few generations of American born Jews were "all grown up" it became apparent that not all of them were following the Torah paths of their immigrant parents or grandparents. The question was asked to Rav Moshe Feinstein זצ"ל why this is so?
His answer had to do with a well know fact. The America of today is not the America of 100 years ago, especially the Jewish one. Most Jewish immigrants at that time were "Shomer Shabbos" Jews coming from Europe and Russia, which meant the only guarantee they had about work was if they didn't work on Saturday, come Sunday they'd be looking for new employment. Reb Moshe explained that there were those who came home after a week of work and as the family gathered around the table for Friday night Kiddush the father would say in front of his listening children "It's so hard to be a Jew." Growing up in this environment sent them on a one way trip away from Torah observance. There were also those who knew Sunday morning they'd have to start all over, and nonetheless came to Kiddush saying "It's so great to be a Jew! It's worth giving up a job to keep Shobbos!" These children continued on the Torah way.
In this week's Parshah, Rav Ya'akov Kamenetsky זצ"ל makes a striking connection between Shabbos and the enslaved Jew's lack of faith in the redemption. The verse reads: "ולא שמעו אל משה מקוצר רוח ומעבודה קשה – but they [the Jew] did not heed Moshe, because of shortness of breath and hard work" (Shemos: 6:9). Moshe announces their redemption and it falls on deaf ears! How could this be? Based on the Midrash, Reb Ya'akov brings us into the life of the enslaved Jews of Egypt. During Shabbos they would occupy themselves by reading special megillah scrolls that spoke about the redemption, and from this they would be consoled and find the strength to continue hoping for freedom. However, after Moshe began demanding Pharoah free the Jews, the response was to work them more, even on Shabbos. This brought an end to their involvement with these scrolls and eventually killed their faith in the redemption.
In today's world, we are constantly distracted and being tempted away from Torah values and perspectives. Especially in business, for many just to make ends meet is a challenge which leaves most overworked and underpaid. This week, as we go into Shabbos, let's consider what Shabbos can be. It's meant to be a day without any worldly distractions, allowing us to reconnect to the roots of Judaism, our beliefs, and hopes for a better tomorrow.
Good Shabbos!