Bo – Page 6 – Peninim on the Torah

“And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time, ‘What is this?’” (13:14)

In the Haggadah, this question is attributed to the ben tam, simple son. How does the author of the Haggadah know this? Indeed, who says this question is the result of a curious, sincere and innocent mind; perhaps he is asking this mockingly, in an attempt to ridicule the mitzvos. Interestingly, regarding the simple son, the Torah says, “And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time,” while regarding the ben rasha, wicked son, the Torah says, “And it shall be when your children say to you, What is this service to you?” (12:26). It…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

“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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5771

“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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5770

“There was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for a three-day period.” (10:22)

Rashi asks a question regarding makas choshech, the plague of darkness, which he does not ask concerning any of the other plagues: Why did Hashem specifically bring about the plague of darkness? He answers that there were Jews in Egypt who refused to leave. They would rather choose to live with the slavery, suffering and persecution that Egypt had to offer than risk possible death in the wilderness. During these three days of darkness these Jews died and were buried by their brethren. Resigned to remaining in the position in which they were before the plague began because of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5770

You shall say, “It is a Pesach feast-offering to Hashem, Who skipped over the houses of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but He saved our households.” (12:27)

Imagine, person A testifies that person B attempted to kill him. Person B is found guilty and placed in jail. Afterwards, person A makes a festive feast thanking the Almighty that he was not also incarcerated. Anyone privy to this case would certainly raise his eyebrows and wonder if person A is sane. Is that not, however, what the pasuk relates to us? The Egyptians sinned against the Jews. Hashem found them guilty and punished them severely. The Jews were offering their gratitude to Hashem for not also killing them! Why? It is the Egyptian who was the aggressor,…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5770

“Pharaoh rose up at midnight.” (12:30)

After Moshe notified Pharaoh of the impending death of the firstborn Egyptians, the Torah states that “Pharaoh rose up at midnight.” From where did he rise? Rashi responds, “From his bed.” Anyone who had been following the narrative knows that Pharaoh’s time was up. Everything that Moshe had said would occur had been realized. Nine devastating plagues had come and gone. What more did Pharaoh need to make him face the reality that Egypt was doomed? He was being told about the tenth and most devastating plague – makas bechoros, death of the firstborn. What did he do the night…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5770

“And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time, ‘What is this?’” (13:14)

In the Haggadah, this question is attributed to the ben tam, simple son. How does the author of the Haggadah know this? Indeed, who says this question is the result of a curious, sincere and innocent mind; perhaps he is asking this mockingly, in an attempt to ridicule the mitzvos. Interestingly, regarding the simple son, the Torah says, “And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time,” while regarding the ben rasha, wicked son, the Torah says, “And it shall be when your children say to you, What is this service to you?” (12:26). It…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Bo, 5769

“There was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for a three-day period.” (10:22)

Rashi asks a question regarding makas choshech, the plague of darkness, which he does not ask concerning any of the other plagues: Why did Hashem specifically bring about the plague of darkness? He answers that there were Jews in Egypt who refused to leave. They would rather choose to live with the slavery, suffering and persecution that Egypt had to offer than risk possible death in the wilderness. During these three days of darkness these Jews died and were buried by their brethren. Resigned to remaining in the position in which they were before the plague began because of the…

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“And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time, ‘What is this?’” (13:14)

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)

“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)

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

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

“There was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for a three-day period.” (10:22)

You shall say, “It is a Pesach feast-offering to Hashem, Who skipped over the houses of Bnei Yisrael in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but He saved our households.” (12:27)

“Pharaoh rose up at midnight.” (12:30)

“And it shall be when your son shall ask you at some future time, ‘What is this?’” (13:14)

“There was a thick darkness throughout the land of Egypt for a three-day period.” (10:22)

YEARS

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