B"H

Thursday, Shevat 4, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / January 26, 2023

In this week’s Parsha, Bo, the Torah relates the story of the Exodus from Egypt. After being in Egypt for 210 years, G-d finally took the Jewish people out of Egypt.

Parshat Bo begins, "G-d said to Moshe, come to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, so that I will be able to set these signs in his midst." 

The Parsha tells of the three final plagues: locust, darkness, and the death of the first-born. When G-d brought the plague of the death of the first-born, Pharaoh finally drove the Jewish people out of the land. 

The numerical value of "Bo" is three (2+1=3) and hints to the three final plagues told in the Parsha which G-d brought upon Pharaoh and the Egyptians.

The name of the Parsha, "Bo" consists of the first two letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, Bet and Aleph.  These two letters represent the Torah, which was the purpose of the Exodus. 

Here is how these two letters represent the Torah: The first letter of Torah is BET. The book of Genesis, which is the first book of the Torah, begins with the word, Breishis, which begins with the letter "Bet."

The Ten Commandments begin with the letter, Aleph.” (Anochi).  Thus, the name of this Parsha which speaks about the Exodus, hints to the fact that the purpose of the liberation of the Jewish people from Egypt was to bring them to Mount Sinai to Give them the Torah.

Q.   How was the tenth and final plague, when G-d killed every first-born Egyptian, a punishment measure for measure, for enslaving the Jewish people?

A.  G-d refers to the Jewish people, “My first-born son.”  Because Pharaoh and the Egyptians enslaved G-d’s, “first-born” and threw them into the river, G-d killed the Egyptian’s first-born.

To this day, we commemorate the miracle of the plague of the first-borns, in which only the Egyptian first-borns died, while the Jewish ones lived. It is the mitzvah of Pidyon Haben – redeeming the first-born son, from the Kohen, thirty days after the baby’s birth.

Q.   How many people came out of Egypt at the Exodus?

A.   The Torah tells us that 600,000 men, from the ages of 20 to 60, came out of Egypt, except for women and children. Although there is no exact figure for the total amount, surely a few million people came out.

Here too we find a connection between the number 600,000, who left Egypt and the Torah.  Our sages say that there are 600,000 letters in the Torah. Here is another between the Exodus and the Torah.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Monday, Shevat 8, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / January 30, 2023

In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, B’Shalach, we read how the Jewish people, who only a few days earlier left Egypt, were now being chased by the Egyptians. They were trapped between the Egyptians, behind them; the desert to their sides and the sea before them.

The people and Moshe screamed to G-d for help. G-d told Moshe, why are you screaming to Me? Tell the children of Israel that they should go forward into the sea.

Nachshon, head of the tribe of Yehuda (Judah), was the first to take the plunge. As soon as he did, the sea split and everyone followed him into the sea.

We all know the rest of the story. For the Jewish people the sea was a life saver, while for the Egyptians the sea became their death trap and they drowned.

The Torah tells us that after sending the people out of Egypt, Pharaoh and the Egyptians had a change of heart and chased after them.

Q.Why did they have a change of heart?

A.When Moshe pleaded with Pharaoh to let the people go, he told Pharaoh that they will be gone for three daysto serve G-d in the desert. The Egyptians gave them their gold, silver and expensive clothing, as the people requested, knowing that they will get it all back when the people return.

When Pharaoh realized, after three days, that they were not coming back, he and the Egyptians chased after them.

Q.Why was G-d’s final punishment to the Egyptians through drowning them in the sea?

A.This was measure for measure punishment for their decree that Jewish boys should be drowned by throwing them into the Nile River.

Q. Why did G-d wait to split the sea only after the first Jew jumped into it, when He could have made it split before?

A. Our sages point out that G-d could have made it much easier for the Jewish people. He could have split the sea as soon as they came there. Then they wouldn’t have to fear the Egyptians, who were chasing after them, and wouldn’t have to “scream” for help.

But there was a lesson in this for Jews then and all generations. There are times when G-d waits for usto make that first move and take that plunge of faith in Him. Even when we are in a situation in which we do not see our way out, G-d may be waiting for OURactions in order to bring about His miracles.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY

B"H

Tuesday, Shevat 9, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / January 31, 2023

Parshat B'Shalach begins, "When Pharaoh had sent away the people [of Israel] and G-d did not lead them through the land of Phlishtim, although it was near, for G-d said, The people might regret [leaving Egypt] if they encounter war and will want to return to Egypt.’ G-d led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the sea."

After spending two hundred and ten years as slaves in Egypt, many Jews couldn't imagine any other way of life, thus wouldn’t appreciate the benefit and value of freedom. Many even refused to leave Egypt.

Even those who left Egypt had not acquired complete faith in G-d. As we read in this Parsha, that each time the people of Israel encountered hardship, they immediately regretted the Exodus and wanted to go back to Egypt.  As a result, G-d didn't want them to encounter war, which may cause them to want to return to Egypt. So, instead of leading them by the short route, He led them through a longer route.

It took seven weeks from the Exodus until the Giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. During this time, the people went through several tests, as recorded in this Parsha:

1) The Egyptians chased after them, trapping them between the desert and the sea. Seeing the Egyptians behind them, they became frightened and cried, even wanting to return to Egypt.  Moshe told them, “Do not fear them, you will see G-d’s salvation, which He will perform for you today. For as you see the Egyptians today, you will not see them again forever. G-d will fight for you, and you stay silent.”

2)  After crossing thesea, they traveled for three days and had no water. Coming to Mara, they found water, but it was bitter and not drinkable. They complained against Moshe. G-d showed Moshe a stick and instructed him to throw it into the water and it became sweet. 

3)  One month after they left Egypt, they ran out of food.  Again, again they complained against Moshe and Aaron, “Why did you take us out of Egypt to die in this desert from hunger?” G-d supplied them with Manna from heaven every day (except Shabbat) for the next forty years, throughout their stay in the desert.

4)  Reaching Refiddim they were again without water and G-d supplied them with water from a rock. 

5)  At the end of the Parsha we read about the war which Amalek fought against them and lost.

Lesson: Our sages emphasize that G-d introduced the Jewish people to freedom and nationhood through constant miracles. This was a lesson that for our existence we are always dependent on G-d.  Our survival throughout the past three thousand years until today, is only due to Divine Providence and G-d’s constant miracles. Yes, it is a mitzvah to be strong and defend ourselves and stand up to our enemies, but at the same time, we must know that it is G-d Who guides us, shields us and protects us.  

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY