Why the Torah Mentions the Exodus in the First Commandment

Parashat Yitro, which contains the Ten Commandments, invites us to reflect deeply on the foundations of Jewish faith. The Slonimer Rebbe, in his work Netivot Shalom, offers a unique and meaningful perspective on the first commandment: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Why did God choose to reference the Exodus from Egypt rather than the creation of the world as the basis of faith? In his profound explanation, Netivot Shalom reveals the connection between faith and the special revelation that occurred in Egypt, the revelation of God’s personal providence over His people.

Faith as the Foundation of Everything

The Rebbe explains that the commandment of faith is, in the words of Maimonides, the foundation of all foundations in the Torah. It includes the core belief in God: that the Lord is One, and that the Creator is the One who creates, directs, and performs all actions. Included within this is also faith in the sanctity of Israel, that they are the chosen people of God, selected from among all nations. A person who does not accept the idea of a chosen people is lacking a dimension of true faith. Just as it is true that God is our God, so too it is true that Israel is His people.

These two elements are contained within the divine statement “I am the Lord your God,” spoken directly by God. “I am the Lord” refers to the Creator and Guide of the world. “Your God” expresses a personal relationship: He is your God, and you are His people, His firstborn Israel. This idea is closely tied to the Exodus from Egypt, when the Jewish people were taken as a nation and their unique spiritual stature was revealed. They are described as a portion of the Divine, as it is written, “For the Lord’s portion is His people.” This is why the verse emphasizes the Exodus rather than creation, because the personal relationship is revealed there.

Creator and Guide: The Full Meaning of Faith

The commandment of faith also includes another essential dimension connected to the Exodus. The declaration of faith that God is the Creator and Guide of all includes two parts. First, that He created the world. Second, that He actively governs it through personal providence, overseeing every detail of existence. Faith is not only about how the world began, but about how it is continuously guided.

The Revelation of Divine Providence in Egypt

This understanding became clear in Egypt. Pharaoh recognized only the name “Elokim,” which reflects God’s power within nature, as revealed through Yosef. However, he denied the name that represents personal providence, declaring, “I do not know the Lord” and “Who is the Lord that I should listen to His voice?” The Divine Name associated with direct supervision over every detail was something Pharaoh rejected.

Through the plagues, this truth became undeniable. The Torah describes clear distinctions between Egypt and Israel, in livestock, in land, and in every aspect of the plagues. Each event demonstrated precise, individual providence. The plagues brought suffering to Egypt and healing to Israel at the same time. Through this, it became clear that God is not only the Creator, but also the One who actively guides every detail of existence. This is why the verse says “who brought you out of the land of Egypt,” to include this essential element of faith.

From Belief to Seeing

The Netivot Shalom adds a deeper layer. Faith is not fixed. It has no limit. There are countless levels of clarity within it. One level is simple belief. A higher level is when faith becomes like sight, when a person perceives with complete clarity that there is nothing besides God.

This higher level was revealed both at the giving of the Torah and at the Exodus. At Sinai, it is written, “You have been shown to know,” meaning that reality itself became clear. At the Exodus, the Torah says, “You have seen what I did to Egypt.” The experience of faith was like seeing with one’s own eyes. Even the simplest individuals reached a level of perception so clear that they could say, “This is my God, and I will glorify Him.”

This explains again why the Exodus is mentioned in the commandment. It represents a level of faith that is experienced directly, not only believed abstractly.

A Lasting Perspective on Faith

In conclusion, the Netivot Shalom offers a powerful way to understand the first commandment. The mention of the Exodus is not incidental. It highlights the personal relationship between God and Israel, the reality of Divine providence, and the possibility of reaching a level of faith that feels as real as sight.

This Shabbat, through Parashat Yitro, becomes an opportunity to reflect on these foundations and to deepen our understanding of what it truly means to believe.