B"H

Friday, Shevat 5, 5779 / January 11, 2019

Parshat Bo, which will be read this Shabbat, is the Parsha in which the story of the Exodus is told. The Torah tells us that 600,000 men from age 20 and up left Egypt at the time of the Exodus. In addition, there were women and children.  Thus, a few million people left Egypt in the Exodus.

The Parsha begins with the last three plagues which G-d brought upon the Egyptians; the plague of locust, darkness and the death of the first-born.

The Torah describes the plague of darkness as follows, “There was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days.  One did not see his own brother… But to all children of Israel there was light in their dwelling places.” 

Q. Why does the Torah use the expression, “one did not see his own brother,” to describe the severity of the darkness? 

A.  The stories in the Torah are lessons for all generations. There is a very important lesson here for all times. The Torah tells us that when one doesn't see the needs of his own brother, his own family, the needs of another human being, they too are afflicted with the plague of darkness.

Hillel the Elder says, The mitzvah of Love your fellow as yourself, is the basis for the entire Torah.

A Jew emigrated to the U.S. from a small town in Poland and became very wealthy.  In the beginning he would still send some money to his family back home in Poland, but in time he became so involved in his business dealings that he completely forgot about his poor family in Poland.

Years later his brother also immigrated to the U.S.  He went to see his brother for help, but the rich man denied that he had a brother. The newcomer was sure it was his brother. No matter how much he tried, the rich man said that he had no brother and told him to leave.

Finally, he decided to try one more time. When the rich man opened the door his brother said to him, “I came to inform you that you better write a will as soon as possible, for you will soon die!”

“How dare you say that?” exclaimed the rich man. “I just had my yearly checkup and the doctor told me I am in excellent health!”

“I may not be a doctor,” said the brother, “But back home, in our little village, when one couldn’t recognize his own brother, we knew that he was extremely sick and his days were numbered...”

The Torah says, “To all children of Israel there was light in their dwelling places.” Indeed, we have to make sure that we see and feel for those in need and do our utmost to help them.

SHABBAT SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 4:14 / Shabbat ends: 5:23

******************

In loving memory of Jeno Zoldan,  Yitzchak Yehuda ben Aharon. Yartzeit is today.

Passed away on the 5th day of Shevat, 1991 – it is now 28 years.

Always remembered by his family for his love and kindness.

Andre, Esther, Zachary, Benjamin, Jonah.

May the Neshanah have an aliyah.