Why Did the Majority of Jews Perish in Egypt?

The Passover story of the Jews leaving Egypt is one of the most significant events in Jewish history. Yet four-fifths of the Jews, a whopping 80%, didn’t want to go! The majority of the Jewish people stayed behind and perished in Egypt.

Why didn't they want to leave?

We are creatures of habit and we often find comfort in familiar routines and situations – sometimes to our detriment. After hundreds of years, perhaps many Jews grew accustomed to their lives as slaves, secure in their daily routine. They had food and water, a roof over their heads. Despite the brutal hardship of slavery, many chose to remain in a state of familiarity that they could not simply abandon.

And perhaps some of the Jews didn’t trust Moses and his message. They no longer believed in the promise of deliverance and had lost faith in God's plan. They knew no reality other than a Pharaoh with complete control over their lives. This fear had become a part of their psyche over time, making them hesitant about leaving Egypt. Having lived as slaves for generations, it was hard to fathom the idea of living a different, freer life, and so they found it hard to take a leap of faith.

Are You Willing to Leave?

Passover isn’t just about recounting the historical story; the goal is to experience your own sense of freedom caused by the Egypt in your own life. And that also requires an honest exploration of where you’re resisting taking your own steps to freedom, where you feel secure and comfortable to remain in the current situation that you know is wrong for you, but you stay anyway.

Why stay?

It's natural to fear the unknown and you may worry about what will happen if you leave.

One reason is fear. It's natural to fear the unknown and you may worry about what will happen if you leave. It may not be as dire as fearing survival in a desert without food, water, or shelter, but you might fear being alone without a job or facing financial instability. And sometimes, fear of change alone is enough to keep you from taking action.

When you step out of your comfort zone, you enter unfamiliar territory which can be daunting. With minds wired to seek patterns and familiarity, stepping into the unknown can make you uneasy.

But not moving on is guaranteed failure. As Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky famously said, "You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take."

I’m Not Good Enough

Another reason people often stay in bad situations is a lack of self-worth. If you don't believe in your own value, then it's easy to convince yourself that you deserve to stay in a bad situation. In addition, low self-esteem and negative self-talk can lead to a person believing that they're "not good enough" or "won't be able to find anything better."

If you don't believe in your own value, then it's easy to convince yourself that you deserve to stay in a bad situation.

That's why it's essential to avoid trying to go it alone but to have a support system when facing a significant change. Surround yourself with people who care about you and will support you. Find people who see your strengths, positive qualities, and potential – and stop making them wrong.

Unfortunately, when you try to break away from something negative, sometimes there are people who are vested in you failing for some reason. Whether it comes from a good place, such as a desire to protect and insulate you, or something far more insidious, you need to come to terms with who and what will help or hinder your growth and be selective about who is in your inner circle influencing you. If you struggle to get clarity, you may need to seek advice from a therapist or counselor. But remember – you don't have to face your fears alone.

Misplaced Loyalty

Lastly, is a misplaced sense of loyalty. Perhaps you feel obligated to stay in a situation because you've invested so much time and effort, or you feel responsible toward the other person involved. It can be challenging to walk away from something you've invested so much into, even if it's bad for your current state.

You need to cultivate a healthy dose of self-compassion. Moving on from a painful experience in life is never easy, especially if the hurt is caused by someone or something close to you. While it's normal to feel pain, anger, disappointment, and frustration when you are hurt, holding on to negative emotions and not forgiving yourself for being in the situation only keeps you stuck and prolongs the suffering.

Leaving your own form of Egypt behind is a challenging process that requires determination, courage, and patience. The journey into the unknown is filled with anxieties and obstacles that can break your spirit or strengthen your resolve. It is not an easy task but if you’re willing to embrace change, challenge yourself, and take a leap of faith into your own divine destiny, it can be a transformative and liberating experience.