What destroys the human spirit more, spiritual bondage or physical bondage? It is possible to have every benefit and every luxury and still feel utterly miserable, empty and void. This is torture. On the other hand, it is also possible to be wise and fulfilled, yet suffer under incredible oppression.

Our Gemara records an argument between Rav and Shmuel as to what aspect of our suffering is recalled in the Exodus story. The Mishna tells us that the story must start with our low point, the only question is what was that low point. Rav says it is that our forefathers worshiped idols. However Shmuel says it is that we were slaves.

Maharal (Gevuros Hashem 52:8) notes this argument and tries to understand what is the conceptual disagreement. He says their disagreement is precisely about this, what is worse for the soul? Does intense, unrelenting and oppressive physical suffering ultimately erode the soul and destroy it? Or, even in those great and trying circumstances, the main destruction or salvation comes from whether or not the person maintains his spiritual freedom.

Of course, I stress that in ordinary circumstances, clearly the person's spiritual and emotional state can transcend the horrible physical conditions. Further, a person's spiritual and emotional attitude is far superior and the key to transcending challenges in difficult situations.

Rather, Rav and Shmuel are discussing situations of extreme and unrelenting torture. Their only disagreement is in such a case, where the physical conditions are so awful that perhaps the soul cannot transcend and is contaminated by the misery.

When I read this section of tha Gemara, I think about persons who went through the Holocaust and how perhaps some of them were hurt so deeply that their souls could not recover, and yet others somehow managed to transcend.

It is noteworthy that ultimately we follow both opinions and state both episodes in Haggadah. Perhaps, when it comes to something such as this, there is no way to decide what is worse.

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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