“And Moshe answered and said: But they will not believe me.” (Shemos 4:1)
“Moshe knew Bnei Yisrael would believe him but he was unsure if their faith was wholehearted. When one comes to a person in great distress with a promise of redemption he grabs at it like a drowning man at a straw hoping desperately his salvation has arrived. Even if there’s only a shadow of hope he will believe not because of his complete faith but because he thinks: What will I lose by believing? After all it may be true.
This tactic was employed through the ages by false Messiahs who succeeded in ensnaring the nation not because the Jews truly believed in them but because of the suffering endured by the Jewish people in exile. They were drawn toward any person who promised to redeem them. But this is not considered pure faith.” (Darchei Mussar Rav Yaakov Neiman)
The saleslady in the health food store speaks enthusiastically as I eye her skeptically. She takes out a small glass bottle containing a homeopathic preparation and promises 100% success. I suspect that isn’t quite so but what choice do I have?
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