October 7 and the Nachshon Effect | Beshalach 5785

Our Sages say Nachshon ben Aminadav went into the sea up to his neck, and only then the sea split. Why did the Sages point this out, when the verses don’t seem to mention it? This is highlighted by a powerful idea based on the opposite.
In 1964, the horrific murder of Kitty Genovese, up to 38 people were found to have been able to help her but didn’t. Social psychologists analyzed what happened - why did so many people refrain from helping? And they came up with the phenomenon known as the bystander effect - everybody thought that somebody else would help. Others can help, so why should I? The more who can do something about it creates the opposite effect - less people are likely to do it.
Our Sages are telling us that everyone could have gone forward, but who was going to be the one to do it - it was Nachshon. His greatness was not because he was the only one who could but because he put himself forward.
This is the greatness of the Jewish people - and this is exactly what we saw on October 7, Simchat Torah. On a day when people could have excused themselves from assisting those in need, people came from all around and put their lives on the line. We cannot stand by, we stand up and be counted - that is the Nachshon Effect.

[@lutulanunu6865]

Thank you Rabbi. I'm praying the fallen will be returned to Israel. Like Hashem buried Moshe, may He return our loved ones for us to bury with honour and dignity.

[@minnalederberger7003]

Am Yisrael chai