The exodus occurred in the month of Nisan. Spiritual growth was achieved in Iyar. The Torah was given in Sivan. Which of these three events caused the greatest change? Although a case can be made for each of the three, it seems that the third caused the most dramatic change.

The exodus is remembered as the event that shows us God’s hand in history. It is the basis of the all three holidays, Passover, Shavuot, and Succot, and a crucial element of a basic belief in God, as it is stated in the Ten Commandments, “I am the Lord, your God, who took you out of the land of Egypt.” We were saved from complete assimilation and from the spiritual degradation of being at the so-called “lowest level of impurity.” We left the demoralizing status of slaves, and became the nation of God. There’s an old saying, “Some achieve greatness; some have greatness thrust upon them.” We had greatness thrust upon us. Although the exodus certainly was a monumental change for us, it was completely from God, we had no hand in it. Therefore, there was something lacking in the experience.