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“And you shall guard the matzos, for on this very day I brought your legions out of the land of Egypt.” (12:17)

Rashi cites the well-known Midrash which tells us not to read the word as matzos, but as mitzvos (which are spelled the same). We derive from here that “just as one should not allow matzoh to become leavened, so too, should one not cause leavening with regard to any mitzvah. Rather, if a mitzvah comes to your hand (an opportunity arises), perform it immediately.” Do not postpone performing a mitzvah. Every mitzvah is precious, and every moment is valuable, so do not squander such a golden opportunity. The need to incorporate zerizus, alacrity, joyful willingness and excitement, into our mitzvah performance…

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But against all Bnei Yisrael, no dog shall whet (“sharpen”) its tongue. (11:7)

Simply, this means that Egypt will be engulfed with death and grief. The Jews, however, will enjoy complete respite and tranquility; not even a dog will bark (utter a sharp cry – Rashi) at them. What is the significance of the dogs barking, or not barking? Does it really make a difference? Everything that is recorded in the Torah has a message. What then is the message of the dog’s restraint from barking? The Bais HaLevi, zl, explains with the following anecdote: A terrible dispute erupted in the city of Brisk. Two groups took sides against one another, and the fires…

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“And so that you may relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son that I made a mockery of Egypt… that you may know that I am Hashem.” (10:2)

Every generation has its despots, evildoers who prey on the weak, the insecure and the unprotected.  The  Jewish  People  have  had  to  contend  with  villains  of  all stripes: religious demagogues; sociopaths; psychopaths; and felons of all persuasions. Eventually, they all have gone down in infamy, receiving their due punishment, which Hashem ultimately metes out at His discretion. However, the question still gnaws at us: Why are so many evildoers permitted to continue their corruption unabated? While this question can only be answered from a spiritual perspective, the following vignette does shed some light on the matter. Horav Yisrael Salanter, zl, once…

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Hashem said to Moshe, “Come to Pharaoh, for I have made his heart… stubborn… and so that you may relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son that I made a mockery of Egypt.” (10:1,2)

Hashem informs Moshe Rabbeinu that He is keeping up the pressure on Pharaoh by threatening and exacting greater punishments.  All this is for the purpose of teaching the Jewish People how He toyed with the Egyptians. The idea that Hashem manipulated the Egyptians is novel and begs elucidation. Why trifle with people who warrant powerful rebuke and punishment? Hashem punishes the wicked with serious punishments – not by toying with them. Imagine a child acting inappropriately at home. His father’s response is, “I am going to show you what I can do to you.” Obviously, the father is going to…

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