I thought that orthodox Rabbis just sit and study and pray all day. I am pleased that you do not. Another time, Rabbi Feldman writes, he was on a plane, and due to overbooking he was bumped up from economy class to a seat in the first class section of the aircraft. During the entire flight, a major Jewish philanthropist, who was seated in first class as a matter of monetary right, kept staring at Rabbi Feldman with a look of curious displeasure. As they were departing the aircraft, the wealthy man could control himself no longer.
People have impressions of defining actions, moments, and behavior.
The same holds true of mitzvos. The Jews thought that Moshe would never return. Their beloved leader Moshe had asked them to ask the Egyptians for gold and silver. And they did. That gold and silver represented their emergence into freedom.