ספר ויקרא

The three mentions of “servitude” in the pasuk (Vayikra 25:42, 54) — “My slaves…for Bnei Yisrael are slaves to Me…My slaves” — refer to the three times one needs to accept the Yoke of Heaven daily, as explained in the Zohar, Parshat Balak (3:195b). This is why our sages instituted three daily prayers: “Hashem, open my lips,” symbolizing the nullification to Hashem, with prayer being the service of the heart. Through accepting Hashem's servitude, we merit redemption.The double expression in “Bnei Yisrael are My slaves…My slaves” can be understood in two ways: firstly, it emphasizes that Bnei Yisrael are uniquely Hashem’s slaves, with no other slaves besides them. Secondly, it signifies that no other servitude can be imposed upon them, as indicated by the continuation of the pasuk, “they shall not be sold as regular slaves.” This means that even in exile, true servitude to others will not apply to them. On an individual level, as one accepts the yoke of Torah, the yoke of worldly servitude is lifted.This principle is a kal vachomer: if one is subject to others, they cannot fully accept the yoke of Heaven. Therefore, Hashem first freed us from Egypt to accept His yoke. How much more so, if we accept Hashem's yoke, no other servitude can apply to us. The three mentions of servitude hint at the redemption from the three exiles following the redemption from Egypt, assuring us that Hashem, our Redeemer, will swiftly bring us close. Amen.