The miracles of the Exodus serve as the basis for our faith in G-d and His providence yet today, thousands of years after the actual events took place.

We might ask why our generation is not witness to revealed miracles in modern times.  Why doesn't G-d give us current proof of His might?  That way, we wouldn't need to rely on evidence passed down from generation to generation.

The following incident from the life of Rabbi Israel Salanter, a renowned rabbi and teacher of nineteenth century Europe provides us with an explanation:

As a public figure, Rabbi Salanter traveled frequently from place to place in both Eastern and Western Europe, to teach, lecture, and provide guidance to all who sought his help.  One time he arrived at a hotel which he had frequented several times previously, and asked for a room.  He was surprised to discover that the hotel keeper, whom we'll call Sam, was no longer observant of Jewish law as in the past.  Rabbi Salanter asked the younger man what had happened to cause such a change in his life.

"It's because of an experience I had about a month ago," answered Sam.  "It made me lose faith."

"How is that?" asked the rabbi.  "The last time I was here, as I recall, you had no doubts about your religious beliefs. What happened to make you change your lifestyle so suddenly?" 

"It's true, Rabbi, that I was a believing, observant Jew most of my life," answered Sam with a nod of his head.  "But just listen to what happened right here in this hotel, before my very eyes, less than a month ago.

"There was a fellow staying here, a non-religious Jew, named Henreich Solomons.  (Not his real name.)  Not only did he himself not observe the commandments, but he made fun of those who do. 

"There's no such thing as reward and punishment!'  he declared, 'Why go to such trouble just to be like your father and grandfather?  Forget about all those traditions, and enjoy life, like me.'

"How can you be so sure there's no reward for keeping a mitzvah (commandment) or punishment for sin?' I asked him.

"'Just watch!' he answered.  Then he proceeded to take a piece of non-kosher sausage out of a package he had with him.  He broke off a piece, and held it up for all to see.  'If there is reward and punishment,' he declared, 'let this piece of non-kosher meat choke me to death right here and now!'

"He bit off a piece of the sausage, chewed it with relish, and swallowed it right then and there.  When he had finished it, he licked his lips and looked at me with satisfaction. 'Did anything happen to me?  Am I dead now, or even sick?

"'No! I'm as hale and hearty as ever,' he answered his own question.  'So why burden myself with all those old-fashioned regulations and traditions.  Nothing will come of them, anyway, so why bother?'

Sam shrugged his shoulders, and concluded his tale: "I didn't have any answer for him, so I guess he's right.  Why bother?"

Rabbi Salanter made no reply, but turned and went to his room.

That afternoon, Sam's daughter Rivkah came home from school and announced happily that she had received certificates of distinction for her marks in two subjects, mathematics and instrumental music.  Rabbi Salanter called her to his side and asked that she play her violin for him in order to prove that she was indeed an accomplished musician.

Rivkah's face contorted into a pout.  "Why should I play for you?" she asked.  "I already have my certificate, so why do I need to prove that I know how to play?"

Rabbi Salanter sent for Sam, and told him what had happened.  "Your daughter refuses to play her violin for me," he complained to Sam.  "What sort of education have you given her that she does not listen to her elders?"

Sam was obviously embarrassed by the rabbi's words.  He turned to Rivkah and asked her why she was disobedient.

The girl countered that it was not good etiquette to start playing the violin in a hotel lobby, or just any odd place where someone happened to demand a tune.  "A musician needs to set a time and a place in advance," she said.  "And besides that, I already have a certificate that attests to my proficiency on the violin.  All my life, am I going to have to stand up and play for anyone who doesn't believe that it's true?  That's ridiculous!"

Rabbi Salanter was not to be put off.  "How can I be sure that she has really mastered the violin?" he asked Sam.

"She has a certificate,” Sam protested, taking his daughter's side.  Then, turning to his daughter, he said, “Rivkah, show the rabbi what the certificates the school gave you."

Rivkah was only too pleased to display her new award for music.  Sam handed it to the rabbi.  "See?" he said with no little pride.  "It says right here that Rebekah Kohen has been tested by the school staff and displayed mastery of the techniques and art of playing the violin.  What better proof could you ask for?"

"My dear Mr. Kohen,” said Rabbi Salanter with a smile.  "Please listen to the words of your own tongue.  You have just given an excellent answer to your question about Heavenly reward and punishment. 

"Thousands of years ago, G-d proved beyond any shadow of a doubt that it is He who controls all the forces of the universe, and rewards the righteous and punishes evil-doers.  The events leading up to the Exodus, and the Exodus itself, provided ample, proof which cannot be denied. 

"Ever since then, the record of these events has been handed down in an unbroken chain, from father to son.  Not only Rivkah has a certificate; the Jewish People have a 'certificate' which attests to Divine Providence.  Just as your daughter does not have to take out her violin and start to play for every Tom, Dick, or Harry who challenges her musical accomplishments, so, too, does G-d not have to provide every insolent rebel with renewed proof that it is He who controls the world, and rewards and punishes whomever He sees fit.

"We have a 'certificate' which attests to the validity of the fact that G-d created heaven and earth.  That certificate is called the Torah.  At the time of the Exodus, G-d suspended the laws of nature and performed miracles which were witnessed by everyone.  The supernatural phenomena of the period of the Exodus serve as a 'certificate' attesting to G-d's sovereignty over the universe. 

"Another 'certificate' is the Torah itself, given not to a single individual, but to a nation that numbered millions of souls.  The events at Mount Sinai took place before the eyes of one and all, so that there might be no doubt as to its authenticity.

"A third proof occurred in the time of Elijah the Prophet, when the prophets of the Baal were shown in a public trial to be false and helpless.

"Further instances occurred in the time of Mordecai and Esther, and again in the time of the Hasmoneans. 

"In view of all these 'certificates' which have already been issued, is it logical to expect that G-d will again suspend the laws of nature in order to provide prove Himself to one lone rebel?   

Rabbi Salanter summed up his argument: "Anyone who really is searching for the truth can find it by reading the 'certificates' already issued.  He need only open up the Torah and study it in order to learn all he needs to know.  He need only think logically in order to come to the conclusion that our tradition leaves no loopholes; there is no way it can be proven not to be completely valid and authentic.  We already have our 'certificate''; there is no need for further proofs."

Sam had no reply.  On the contrary, he thanked Rabbi Salanter for restoring his faith in the Torah, and readily began to observe the commandments as he had done from his youth.

There is a lesson here for our times, as well. 

In an unbroken chain that stretches over thousands of years, Jewish parents have sat each with their children every Seder night and taught them about the Exodus from Egypt, using the Haggadah and other sources of the story of Exodus.  Together with their sons and daughters, they review all the 'certificates' attesting to G-d's sovereignty over the world.  They relive the miracles He performed on our behalf.

We not only talk about the events, but try to experience the signs and wonders as much as possible.

It is to this end that G-d performed these wonders in the first place, just as the Torah tells us: "In order that you will relate to your child and your child's child what  I wrought in Egypt, and the signs I performed against them" (Exodus 10:2). 

And the ultimate goal?  The Torah tell us that as well: "...and you shall know – (both fathers and sons) that I am G-d (Exodus 10:2).

By studying the Exodus in depth, re-living the wonders and miracles, and joy they brought the people of Israel, every Jew grows spiritually, year after year, and generation after generation.