Torah Readers Reflections

Parashat Bo בֹּא (come), is the third in the Book of Exodus (10:1–13:16). The parashah tells of the last three plagues on Egypt, suffered by the Egyptians, and the first Passover. Locusts (אַרְבֶּה, arbeh), Darkness (חֹשֶׁךְ, choshech), and the slaying of the firstborn. In Exodus we are given the laws of Passover, both as they were observed that first time and as they are meant to be kept for future generations.

Was Pharoah an evil man?

If G-d hardened as Pharoah heart, thus making him stubborn, should we blame Pharoah? Did he have any control over the situation or free will? Was Pharoah an evil man? Why did G-d create evil people? Why does G-d allow so much suffering?

Tishrei versus Nissan 

The Jewish New Year is always on Rosh Hashanah, which falls in the month of Tishrei. However in this week’s reading, as the ‘Leaving of Egypt’ took place in the month of Nissan, we name this month as the first and head of all months (Ramban Shemot 12:2), because, the purpose of being released from slavery in the land of Egypt was that we would now solely have only one master, G-d. The month of Nissan is important because it is the birth month of Israel as a nation.

Rosh Chodesh

The very first mitzvah that was given to the Jewish people, before the last plague began, is that The judges of the Beit Din should always fix the beginning of a new Jewish month. We are introduced to the laws of Rosh Chodesh in this parashah (Shemot 12:2). The Jewish calendar comprises of 354 days, which follows a lunar calendar, unlike the calendar we follow in various countries outside of Israel which comprises of 365 days. Every Rosh Chodesh is accompanied with Hallel and reading portions of the Torah. It is a time to look for renewal and try to improve one’s ways and look for a better month.

In the closing verses of the portion, G-d instructs Mosheh on various ways the Israelites are to commemorate the Exodus on an annual basis. In addition to celebrating Passover each year, the people are to dedicate their firstborn children and animals to G-d’s service, in appreciation for being saved from the Death of the Firstborn in Egypt; and males are to place phylacteries between their eyes and upon their arms each day as a sign of G-d’ strong arm in taking them out of Egypt.

Mezuzah

G-d commands each household to take a lamb, they are to slaughter the lamb and roast it, brushing its blood on the door frames of their homes so that the angel of death will recognize and “pass over” each Jewish household. As a side note, the tradition of marking a Jewish home with a mezuzah originated from parashat Bo. The Hebrew letters Shin, Daled and Yud, which are written are initials for: Shomer Dlatot Israel, The guardian of Jewish homes.

Korban Pesach

We are then introduced to the laws of the Korban Pesach, they are to eat the roasted lamb accompanied by bitter herbs and matza, a special unleavened flatbread, while dressed for a journey, with shoes on and walking stick at the ready. The entire lamb must be finished, with any leftovers burned the next morning; therefore, G-d tells the people families should join together to make sure that there are enough people to consume it. The blood on the doorpost is meant to ensure G-d passes over the homes of the Israelites during His attack on Egyptian firstborns, set to take place the same night. In order to partake in a feast of the Korban Pesach, one has to be circumcised (Shemot 12:48).

Pidyon Haben

Also Pidyon Haben, introducing the mitzvah of the “redemption of the first born” where at first, the first born was supposed to serve in the Temple, the mitzvah was taken away from the first born of each tribe and given to the Levi tribe who were against the Golden Calf incident.

The Shulkhan Arukh states that when a Jewish woman gives birth to a firstborn male by natural means, the father of the child must “redeem” the child from a known Kohen representing the original Temple priesthood, for the sum of five silver Shekels, or equivalent in country’s currency. The procedure does not apply when the father is a Kohen or Levite, and does not normally apply when the mother is the daughter of one. This redemption ceremony is performed when at least thirty days have passed since the child’s birth. If the 31st day falls on Shabbat or a festival, the redemption is delayed, because any sort of business transaction is not allowed on those days.

Tefillin

We are also introduced to the mitzvah of Tefillin at the end of the Parshah (Shemot 13:16); The Tefillin have to be worn on the head and the weaker arm, to testify that one’s thoughts should always be done correctly and actions done well with their arms and that they fear and love G-d at all times.

Exodus

At midnight, G-d moves across Egypt, smiting their firstborn children and animals as promised. In despair, Pharaoh calls to Mosheh and Ahron, telling them to take the Hebrews out from among his people and go serve G-d in any manner they wish. As G-d had told them to do earlier, the Israelites ask their Egyptian neighbors for gold, silver and garments, and their requests are granted.

The Israelites are freed from Egypt after 430 years (Exodus 12:40) They number 600,000 men alone, not counting women, and children. There, they baked leftover dough from the night before into matza.

Brit Milah

G-d also adds details regarding future sacrifices: every male is obligated to participate, but no stranger may eat from it; males must be circumcised (Brit Milah) to partake; and it must be eaten in one place.

Aviv

G-d states that the people are to remember the day they left Egypt, saying it is in the month of Aviv, which means ‘springtime’, why G-d makes a point of saying that it is the spring month? To show G-d is compassionate, taking the Israelites out of slavery and on a desert journey at a time of year when the weather is most pleasant. It is also a time of rebirth, and what better time to establish the birth of a nation than spring! Mosheh, under G-d’s instruction, said that they would leave the following morning, as it is dangerous to set out on a journey at night. The next morning, the Jews commenced the Exodus from Egypt (Shemot 12:37-42), leaving Egypt with a huge abundance of Gold and Silver (Shemot 12:35-36).

Let My People Go!

“Then the LORD said to Mosheh, Come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart” Rebbe Nachman of Breslev teaches that G-d is constantly trying to get us to soften our hearts. Whatever your situation, everything in your life, even the seemingly random, is a message to “Let My people go so they may serve Me” (Exodus 9:1).

Rebbe Nachman of Breslev

“Ordinary people cannot perceive from every detail of life every hint” says Rebbe Nachman, “but we ready ourselves to hear and accept the message through simple activities: Sleeping, Tzitzit and Tefillin, Torah study (including reading the Shema), Prayer and Business. Each, in its way, prepares a person to understand what s/he needs to understand to become a better Jew.”