This week’s Torah portion, Beshelach, sheds light on the uniquely human propensity for fantasy and the problems that come with it.

There are two aspects to the story of the Exodus that culminates with this week’s Torah portion, Bo. One is גאולה, “redemption” and the other is חרות “freedom.”

Unlike human behavior, all of God’s actions are instructive. This idea is clearly stated throughout the next two Torah portions.

This week’s Torah portion, Shemot, begins the record of the Jews’ enslavement in Egypt and liberation by God. Pharaoh remains adamant in his refusal to heed the many requests of Moshe. What was Moshe asking of Pharaoh and how can we relate Moshe’s actions to those of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?

The title of this dvar Torah is not a political statement. It comes straight from a dispute in our Talmud about how best to “advertise” the miracle of Chanukah.