"In every generation, a person is obligated to regard himself as if he personally left Egypt."
Though we may never have been in Egypt, nor experienced actual slavery, redemption can be real for us. Chassidus explains that Egypt is not only a geographical location but also a state of mind. In fact, the Hebrew name for Egypt, Mitzrayim, is almost identical to the word "meitzarim", which means limitations. In other words, our personal exodus from Egypt involves lifting ourselves out of our natural limitations.
Each of us possess a soul, a spark of G-d. And, like G-d Himself, this spark is infinite and unbounded. On the personal level, Egypt symbolizes those influences and forces which confine and limit our spiritual potential.
The nature of this personal "Egypt", limitation, varies according to one's character. A person's "Egypt" can be defined by anything that restricts his potential for advancement, (and/or) accepting his natural limitations as permanent. Leaving Egypt means leaping over all these barriers and constraints, and bringing our infinite spiritual potential to the surface.
When a person relives the Exodus and uncovers his essential G-dly nature, he develops a deeper connection with the Torah.
Experiencing a personal exodus from Egypt thus extends far beyond the time of the Pesach celebration and applies to every moment of our lives. When the Exodus is understood this way, every dimension of Jewish conduct and every mitzvah a person performs becomes a step out of Egypt and an expression of his inner G-dly potential.
And an opportunity to realize his true, liberated, self.
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