Bo – Page 11 – Peninim on the Torah

Moshe Marcovich In Bo, 5758

But on the previous day you shall nullify the leaven from your homes; for anyone who eats leavened food, that soul shall be cut off from Yisrael. (12:15)

Among all of the mitzvos connected to the festival of Pesach, none is so stringent as the prohibition of chametz. One who does not recount the story of the Exodus, one who does not eat matzoh or marror has “only” neglected performing a mitzvah. One who eats chametz, however, is liable to the Heavenly punishment of kares, premature death. This harsh punishment seems to underline the significance of the mitzvah of matzoh. The prohibition against eating or keeping chametz in one’s possession indicates the crucial importance of the haste in which the Jews left Egypt. They departed in such a…

Home -> 5757 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5757

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

The Torah places emphasis upon relating the miraculous nature of the ten plagues to one’s children/descendants – specifically concerning the plague of locusts. What is the significance of the plague of locusts that it has become the focus of transmission to future generations? Horav Simcha Zissel Broide, shlita, observes that the dialogue which ensued between Moshe and Pharaoh was not limited to Bnei Yisrael’s release from Egypt. Moshe was also using this forum to demonstrate to Pharaoh the identity of the Master of the world. It was Pharaoh who audaciously challenged Moshe with the words, “Who is Hashem that I…

Home -> 5757 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5757

“So shall you eat it: Your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; you shall eat in haste.” (12:11)

The manner in which they ate the Korban Pesach reflected Bnei Yisrael’s readiness for immediate journey. In his commentary, the Sforno emphasizes their bitachon, trust in Hashem. He writes, “They demonstrated their implicit trust in Hashem by preparing themselves for the road while they were still in prison.” Horav Moshe Schwab, z”l, takes note of this remarkable trust in the Almighty. Bnei Yisrael had been subject to such inhuman servitude for hundreds of years, that they no longer knew the meaning of the word “freedom.” Even after Moshe had notified them of their imminent redemption, they still continued to function…

Home -> 5757 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5757

And you shall say, “It is a Pesach-offering to Hashem, Who passed over the houses of the Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.” (12:27)

The festival commemorating our exodus from Egypt, our liberation from the most cruel bondage, is called Chag Ha’Pesach, the Festival of Passover. This name recalls how Hashem “passed over” the Jewish homes during makas bechoros, when the Egyptian first-born were killed. Considering the nature of the festival and the focus of its commemorating, the name seems like a misnomer. Would it not have been more appropriate to call the festival, Chag Ha’cheirus, the Festival of Freedom? This was no ordinary redemption. It was a liberation from a cruel and intense slavery. The Jews were ensnared by the guile of the…

Home -> 5757 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5757

For a seven day period you shall eat matzos. (13:15)

The Rambam writes that matzoh is a reminder of our bondage, representing the lechem oni, bread of affliction, which our ancestors ate while they were slaves in Egypt. It also commemorates the speed with which the redemption was brought upon them. They had no time to bake bread to take with them for this journey. They were, consequently, forced to make matzos, to avoid the delay inherent in preparing leavened bread. Horav S.R. Hirsch, z”l, views these two reasons as complimentary to one another. It is significant to note that Bnei Yisrael played no role in their own liberation. They…

Home -> 5756 -> Bo

Sruly Schnair In Bo, 5756

“Stretch out your hand toward Heaven, and there shall be darkness over the land of Egypt.” (10:21)

Hashem commanded Moshe to stretch out his hand towards the heavens in order to create a thick darkness over the land of Egypt. This plague lasted for three days, during which time people were unable to move about and were unable to see anything. Rashi cites Chazal who explain that in addition to punishing the Egyptian people, this plague also served a practical purpose. There were reshaim, wicked Jews, who refused to leave Egypt. These evil Jews perished during the three days of makas choshech, so that the Egyptian populace would not see Jews dying and say, “They are also…

Home -> 5756 -> Bo

Sruly Schnair In Bo, 5756

“And there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt.” (10:22)

Chazal state that only one fifth of the Jews enslaved in Egypt actually went out during the Exodus. The other four fifths perished during the three days of darkness which engulfed Egypt. It is perplexing that such a large number of people would actually desire to stay in Egypt. They were beaten incessantly; their basic freedoms were totally restricted; their daily ritual consisted of pain, affliction and persecution. Yet, they chose to stay in Egypt rather than leave with Moshe! Did this represent a rational choice? Why were these enslaved Jews not inspired by the wonderful miracles which Hashem wrought…

Home -> 5756 -> Bo

Sruly Schnair In Bo, 5756

“You shall tell your son on that day saying, ‘It is because of this that Hashem did for me when I went out of Egypt.'” (13:8)

The Talmud in Pesachim 116b states, “In every generation it is one’s duty to regard himself as though he personally had gone out of Egypt. As it is written in Shemos 13:8, ‘You shall tell your son on that day, saying, It is because of this that Hashem did for “me” when I went out of Egypt.’” In the Haggadah, Chazal expound upon these words, emphasizing the idea of a personal liberation. A question immediately comes to mind upon reading this pasuk. How can one feel that he went out of Egypt, if he was not actually there? Can we…

Home -> 5755 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5755

“About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt.” (11:4)

Rashi cites Chazal who place emphasis on the word ,mjf, approximately midnight, which implies either before midnight or after it. Moshe did not specify exactly midnight lest Pharaoh’s astrologers say, “Moshe is a liar.” The simple interpretation of Chazal is that if Moshe is inaccurate by even one minute, this would give Pharaoh’s advisors license to destroy Moshe’s credibility. This is incredible! If all of the firstborn of Egypt were to die as Moshe had predicted, but it happened one minute past the prescribed time, would that have been sufficient cause to deny Moshe’s veracity? Horav Eliyahu Meir Bloch z.l.,…

Home -> 5755 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5755

“But, on/by the first day you shall put away leaven from your houses.” (12:15)

The admonishment to rid ourselves of any vestige of chametz, leaven, is unique in the sense that this concept is not found in regard to any other forbidden food. The Radvaz was once questioned regarding this stringency. His response was simple, but profound. Chametz symbolizes the yetzer hora, evil inclination within a person. The leaven is the se’or sheh-b’isah, fermenting agent within the dough, representing the power of arrogance which is the “rising” agent within a person. The yetzer hara is forbidden, even b’ma’sheh’hu, the slightest bit. One may not accede to even the most diminutive demand of the yetzer…

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Back to Home -> Bo ->

But on the previous day you shall nullify the leaven from your homes; for anyone who eats leavened food, that soul shall be cut off from Yisrael. (12:15)

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

“So shall you eat it: Your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; you shall eat in haste.” (12:11)

And you shall say, “It is a Pesach-offering to Hashem, Who passed over the houses of the Bnei Yisrael in Egypt.” (12:27)

For a seven day period you shall eat matzos. (13:15)

“Stretch out your hand toward Heaven, and there shall be darkness over the land of Egypt.” (10:21)

“And there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt.” (10:22)

“You shall tell your son on that day saying, ‘It is because of this that Hashem did for me when I went out of Egypt.'” (13:8)

“About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt.” (11:4)

“But, on/by the first day you shall put away leaven from your houses.” (12:15)

YEARS

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!