Sometimes the situation in Israel seems so difficult that people lose their hope for light at the end of the tunnel. At such times it is worthwhile recalling the experience of our ancestors in Egyptian bondage as described in this week's Torah portion.

When Moshe delivered to them a message from G-d that they would be liberated and brought to their promised land, the reaction was that "they did not heed Moshe because of a shortness of spirit and hard work." (Shmot 6:9)

In his commentary, the "Ohr Hachayim" notes that this "shortness of spirit" was prevalent because the Jews had not yet received the Torah at Sinai. Once in possession of the Torah, the Jew has a "long wind" which enables him to see the sun shining behind every dark cloud and to believe that Heaven will protect Israel forever.

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