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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5752

“And you shall tell your son on that day, saying, it is because of that (which) Hashem did for me when I went out of Egypt.” (13:8)

A father has the holy obligation to educate his child, as well as to serve as a paradigm of guidance and inspiration to his child. Just as parents are required to provide for their child’s physical needs, they must also be vigilant in sustaining them spiritually. Various techniques have been developed for the appropriate manner in which to educate children.   The Rambam cites Avraham Avinu’s unique approach to reaching out in order to educate the members of a pagan society concerning belief in Hashem . Avrohom had the ability to relate to each person according to his individual level…

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Home -> 5752 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5752

“It was a night of watching unto Hasehm, for bringing them out of Egypt.”(12:42)

The events preceding and including that fateful night are indelibly engraved in the hearts and minds of the Jewish people. The Ten Plagues were the equivilant of ten seminars of instruction in the recognition of the true G-d and the election of Am Yisrael as His people. At each plague, the Jewish people were elevated to new heights of awareness of these two foundamental beliefs. After the tenth lesson they had attained such understanding that Hashem considered them ready to go forward towards the ultimate rendezvous at Mt. Sinai. These experiences will remain with us as ultimate lessons for all…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5752

“And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians.” (12:30)

One who reads the above pasuk cursorily may miss its profound message. How was Pharaoh and all of Egypt capable of going to bed, let alone falling asleep, when they were fully cognizant of what might transpire if Moshe’s warning were to be realized? Had not the first nine plagues taken their toll on the Egyptian people? Even if there has been room to doubt the potential for this plague’s fulfillment, sleep would still have been impossible. This was an integral part of Hashem’s divine plan. Had Pharaoh stayed awake, anxiously waiting to see if this latest warning would be…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5752

“This month shall be to you the beginning of the months.” (12:2)

The Sforno explains that from this point forward the months of the year shall be yours, to do with them as you will. During the bondage, however, “time” did not belong to you. Rather, slaves spend their time fulfilling the will of others. A slave has no time which he can consider his own. He lacks freedom of choice due to his subservience to his master, who determines his complete schedule. In contrast, freedom grants the individual mastery over his own time, enabling him to decide the most effective course for its utilization. Perhaps we may suggest a more profound…

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Home -> 5752 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5752

“And that you shall tell in the ears of your son and your son’s son… that you should know that I am Hashem” (10:2)

The end of this pasuk “and you should know” seems to be inconsistent with its beginning. The purpose of teaching about the exile and exodus to our children is that these fundamental experiences become an intgral part of our nation’s heritage. They will be employed as a vehicle to emphasize and imbue our children with faith in Hashem. Thus, it should have stated, “And they shall know.” Obviously, we may note that the lessons to be derived are not only for the children, but also for the parents. When these pivotal experiences are taught with an air of complacency and…

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