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Home -> 5753 -> Bo

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And Amalek came and (he) battled with Yisrael in Refidim.” (17:5)

The Ramban writes that when Bnei Yisrael went forth to wage war with Amalek, Moshe feared the worst. He prayed intensely to Hashem on their behalf. The Ramban questions Moshe’s concern. Had not Hashem performed miracles for them? Was there any reason for Him to neglect them at this stage of their redemption? The Ramban explains that Moshe feared Amalek particularly because he was Eisav’s grandson. Eisav had been assured of the blessing of “by your sword you shall live.” This blessing accorded him great physical might, which assured him of success in his battles. This blessing was the source…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And Hashem said to Moshe. Behold I am about to cause to rain for you bread from the Heaven, and the people will go out daily to collect (their daily portion) so that I can test them if they will follow in My Torah or not.” (16:4)

The Divine gift of manna was essentially the last of the great miracles which surrounded the Egyptian Exodus. These wonders were designed to illuminate our path and guide us in our belief in Hashem. Indeed, Chazal view the manna as the ultimate miracle which nurtured our emunah and stimulated our bitachon in Hashem. Hashem brought us through the desert in a long, circuitous way. He nourished us with manna from Heaven and water from the Well in order to imbue Torah into our bodies and souls. Relying upon Hashem to provide “parnasah,” livelihood, and believing in His “ability” to sustain…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And Yisrael saw the great hand (might) of Hashem… and they believed in Hashem and in Moshe His servant. (14:31)

What was unique about these miracles that stimulated Bnei Yisrael’s faith in Hashem more strongly than did the miracles wrought in Egypt? What provoked Bnei Yisrael to finally express gratitude to Hashem through the vehicle of “shirah,” song of praise? Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., offers a profound homiletic response to this question. Historical events are all part of a great portrait created by Hashem as the master artist. These seemingly isolated incidents all fit in to make up a beautifully crafted and brilliantly designed mosaic. In order to appreciate the total project, man must be able to stand back and…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And it shall be when Hashem will bring you into the land of the Canaanites as He swore unto you and your fathers, and He shall give it to you.” (13:11)

Rashi explains that Bnei Yisrael should feel that Eretz Yisrael was being given to them anew on that very day, rather than as an inheritance bequeathed to them by their ancestors. This special appreciation of Eretz Yisrael is more than a reflection of our love towards the land. It is also an essential prerequisite for its procurement. As we study Torah daily, we are reaffirming our acceptance of it, and we are obligating ourselves to its mandate. We likewise view Eretz Yisrael as our land. Horav Yerucham Levovitz, z.l., remarks that although Eretz Yisrael was pledged to our ancestors, it…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And you shall tell your son on that day saying: It is because of this that Hashem did for me when I went forth from Egypt. And it shall be for you a sign upon your hand… In order that the law of Hashem may be in your mouth.” (13,8,9,10)

We may wonder why, particularly in the chapter dealing with consecrating the first-born, the “children” would question our spiritual practice. Indeed, there were other mitzvos which they could have found enigmatic. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., offers a homiletic appreciation of this pasuk. The “children” questioned the need for the first-born to be consecrated from birth, to be immediately inducted in Hashem’s service. Would it not have been more appropriate for them first to mature both emotionally and spiritually before choosing to serve Hashem? The response to this question is “It shall be for you a sign upon your hand.” As…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“Remember this day (in) which you went out from Egypt. Today you go forth in the month of Aviv.” (13:3,4)

We may question the Torah‘s inclusion of the word vzv – “this day”. Why is it necessary to emphasize “this” day? There is obviously something unique about that day which must be especially remembered. We may suggest the following thought. The Torah seems to accentuate the time of year when the Exodus from Egypt took place. Hence, it is stated, “Today you go forth in the month of Aviv,” which refers to the month of Nissan or the beginning of spring. This is a time of renewal when the young seedlings are beginning to blossom. It is a time of…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Bo, 5753

“And they shall take to them (every) man a lamb for their father’s house, a lamb for a household.” (12:3) – “And they shall slaughter it the whole assembly of the congregation of Yisrael… and they shall take of the blood and they shall put it upon the two doorposts and on the lintel.” (12:6,7)

In this pasuk we note the first mitzvah in which Bnei Yisrael are enjoined as they prepare for the Exodus from Egypt. It focuses upon the head of the house, while it also embraces the whole family. Even though there is great need for collective communal involvement, the individual is not absolved of his own personal responsibility. We have become so dependent upon communal institutions that we may have forgotten what it means to fulfill our obligations personally. We send the aged to be cared for by the communal organization and the poor to central tzedaka funds, while we relegate…

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