We hear this line often in our liturgy: “G-d has not forsaken the Jewish people.” Clearly this is true, as we are still here. However, we can ask, “Is this true for the Jewish nation and even for individual people?” Perhaps G-d might forsake an individual. After all, if we are running away from G-d, why should he chase us? Why not just give up on us?
When the Jews were in Egypt, many of them gave up on G-d; they assimilated into the Egyptian way of life. They had nothing to hold onto. Being a slave was not an attractive option, so they slipped into the comforts of Egypt.
On the Egyptian front, they were bombarded with plague after plague. Ten in total. Each time a plague would come, it did just that: it arrived.
Yet by plague number ten, the death of the first born, Moses warned Pharaoh that G-d will “come to Egypt” and save the first-born Jews from the plague, while first-born Egyptians will die. The question is asked, “Why does G-d Himself have to ‘come’ to Egypt?” Every other plague arrived without G-d Himself “coming.” Even though this plague was put into action by the Angel of Death, why is G-d’s presence necessary? In addition, to save the first-born Jewish children, the Jews were given the cue: “Put the blood of the Pascal sacrifice on the doorpost as a sign for the angel to ‘pass over’ your home.” If that is the case, what will G-d be coming to do, anyway?
Tradition tells us that there were Jews hiding in Egyptians homes. Not only did they ignore Moses by not putting blood on their doorposts, they defied G-d! They went and lived within the homes of the Egyptians! They camouflaged themselves so well within Egypt that only G-d Himself could find them.
This is what Moses was saying to Pharaoh: G-d does not forsake His people. Every single Jew will come out of Egypt!
Are there Jews who are hiding their Judaism? Yes. Do they deserve to be forsaken? No.
This is not just a phrase that we have lived with for so many years. This is true. This has been true then, and this is true today.