It is fascinating that the revolutions in former Soviet Republics took place thirteen to fourteen years after the collapse of the communist Soviet Union. Indeed this is a point which needs addressing today: what can be done to ensure that countries formerly run by authoritarian regimes do not slip back into their old dictatorial traditions? This is in fact what occurred in most of the former Soviet republics, and according to some commentators, it is happening today in Putin’s Russia.
This question is especially important with regard to Iraq. The USA and its allies put stupendous effort into liberating Iraq from tyranny, but how can one ensure that it does not revert to its previous form of dictatorial governance? Have the coalition forces taken appropriate action to ensure that this is not happening? The question is an open one. My argument in this regard is not based on modern day political science; it is based on a story that dates back to antiquity.
This week we celebrate how Israelites were swiftly and miraculously emancipated from Egyptian bondage and their destination was the Promised Land. However as soon as the Israelites escaped Egypt the Egyptians pursued them and they were caught between an advancing Egyptian army and the Sea of Reeds. God performed a miracle and the Sea of Reeds split. The Israelites went through the sea on dry land while the Egyptians continued their pursuit. As the Israelites emerged on the other side the sea closed in on the Egyptians and they drowned.
What is the significance of this story? There is a rabbinic dictum which states that God does not change the laws of nature at whim, He only performs miracles when it is absolutely necessary. Surely God could have engineered an exodus without having to perform such an amazing feat.
The passage of the Israelites on dry land through the split sea has tremendous symbolism; it signifies the change of nature the Israelites went through at that time. Before the Israelites crossed the sea they may have become free in body but not in spirit – they still had a slave mentality.
The Midrash notes that as the Israelites went through the sea they experienced tremendous levels of spiritual revelation. This changed their entire perception: the transformation of the Israelites into free people was now complete. The sea’s innate state – water – metamorphosing into dry land symbolizes the Israelite’s transformation from the mentality of slave to the mindset of liberty.
The pursuing Egyptian army underlines the fact that until the Israelites had become free in spirit as well as body they were susceptible to being entrapped once more by a tyrannical Egyptian regime. The moment that they acquired the attitude and outlook of freedom there was no turning back: the Egyptians were no longer able to entice them back into slavery.
The drowning of the Egyptian army as the Israelites emerged from the sea symbolizes this idea. After their metamorphosis into free people the Israelites were able to receive their national constitution – the Ten Commandments and the Torah on Mount Sinai. Once they had received the Torah they were ready to enter the Promised Land.
This story offers enormous insight into what strategy must be followed if revolutions are to be successful. Recent history does not support the claim which says, “Give people freedom and they will fight to maintain it.”
Like the exodus from Egypt, the collapse of the Soviet Union happened overnight. This did not allow the people the chance to adapt to the new reality by themselves. Whereas the surrounding circumstances may have changed, the people had not. It is therefore not surprising that corrupt dictators were able to step in. It took another generation of young people and a revolution for democracy to fully take a hold in many former Soviet Republics. The people simply needed time to catch up with world events.
In Iraq the strategy to mould a new democracy attempted to take the people along with it. It was hoped that through a process of interim governments, elections, constitution writing, and a referendum the Iraqi people were slowly becoming imbued with the mentality of freedom. But did this happen too quickly? Are the Iraqi people adequately equipped to embrace their freedom and maintain it for the future? The question remains to be answered. But one thing is certain: freedom will not take hold until this happens.
Personal revolutions are no different. Often one thinks that a change of job, home, community, spouse or country will resolve all problems. The story of the splitting of the Sea of Reeds instructs us that in order to effect permanent personal transformation for the better, a change of circumstances does not suffice.
As long as one has not changed ones underlying attitude and mindset the danger of reverting back to previous negative habits is ever-present. For change to endure, a shift in circumstance must be accompanied by an adjustment of outlook and approach.