As the Jews were enslaved in Egypt, we learn that their lives were embittered by hard labor, b’farech. The Rabbis give two interpretations. First, we were enticed to Egypt, b’peh-rach, with soft words. The hard labor did not begin until we were comfortable living in Egyptian society.

Only then, did our friends become our oppressors.

Yet, there is another interpretation by the Ktav Sofer, who writes that it was not the labor that was crushing, but rather the Egyptian slave masters would switch the jobs of the slaves every 29 days, not allowing them to be in a routine long enough for them to get comfortable.

Once we ease into a routine, even if it is a miserable one, we get comfortable enough to not even recognize that the situation could be better. Yet, routine works in the opposite way, too.

The story is told of a Rabbi from Poland in 1921 who went to Israel. He stayed 29 days and left. He told his community he did not want to get too comfortable in Israel, as he always wanted to make sure it was a treasure in his heart. So, too, with the blessings in our lives, we wish to acknowledge them with gratitude.

Yesterday, in an interview with sports psychologist Dr. Rick Aberman, he told me the biggest challenge to success is often ourselves. We must get out of our own way while we think others are actually in the way. This Shabbat, as we read of our descent into slavery, let us also remember that revelation and redemption are also around the corner, too.