Parshat Shmot talks about Moshe’s life. As an adult, he leaves the Egyptian palace and witnesses the suffering of his people. After killing an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew, Moshe is forced to flee to Midian, where he marries Tzipporah and becomes a shepherd. 

Hashem appears to Moshe in the form of a burning bush at Mount Horeb and instructs him to return to Egypt to lead the Israelites to freedom. Moshe initially resists the calling, citing his self-doubt and lack of eloquence, but Hashem reassures him and appoints his brother, Aaron, as his spokesman. 

Upon their return to Egypt, Moshe and Aaron gather the Israelite elders, who believe their message. However, when they confront the Pharaoh with Hashem's demand, he refuses and increases the burdens of the Israelite slaves. The parashah ends on this tense note, with Moshe questioning Hashem about the increased suffering of the people. 

I think we’ve all at least once questioned, “If Hashem exists, why is there suffering?”, “If Hashem exists, why did the Holocaust happen?”, “If Hashem exists, why did October 7th happen?”, “If we are Hashem’s ‘chosen people’, why do we have so many hardships?”.

On the same note, I believe every Jewish person has at least once in their lives questioned Hashem and Hashem’s actions. And there isn’t one true answer. There are a thousand interpretations, millions of people with millions of answers. But sometimes, there isn't an answer. It's just about questioning, thinking, and interpreting the millions of possibilities without having a true answer.

Because that’s what Judaism is about; to be Jewish is to ask questions. In Judaism, we always ask questions, like on Seder evening, we ask the four questions. Our Talmud, by insisting we question, allows us to doubt. The name Israel is often interpreted to mean "one who strives, struggles, or contends with Hashem". Judaism, from its roots, pushes us to question, to read, to investigate, to learn. 

But, if there isn’t one true answer, what makes us believe? Have faith? Trust Hashem?

I personally have doubted many times. To the point where I considered myself an atheist, not Jewish. A few months ago, I found myself at International Kallah. We were having one of many talks about Judaism. About belief. A few of the Jewish educators were having a Q&A on any topic. A lot of other teens were asking about religion and tradition, and I felt like the odd one out. Finally, I decided to ask a question myself: “Do you think it's ok to question G-d as a Jewish person?” One of the JE’s (that happened to be a rabbi) answered me. She told me, “The most Jewish thing you can do is ask questions”. At Kallah, I got multiple spaces to reflect on my Jewish identity. To question Hashem. But to also find a way to believe. My way to believe. 

Even without a perfect answer, I found the response to my questions. And still now, I keep asking questions.

I invite you all to reflect. To question Hashem and its actions. Ask questions. Ask your friends, your family, your rabbi, your chapter, your community. Because, to be Jewish is to ask questions, it makes us us. 

Shabbat Shalom,
Amy Hornstein
BBYO Argentina