In this Parasha we learn about the three remaining plagues brought upon Pharaoh and his nation, once again to repay a “Midah KeNeged Midah” (“מידה כנגד מידה“), measure for measure punishment for what they did to Bnei-Yisrael. The numerical value of the word “Bo” (“בֹּא”) is 3, as the three plagues about to be brought upon Egypt. From the first three words “come to Pharaoh” (“בֹּא אֶל-פַּרְעֹה”) we learn a beautiful teaching. The Zohar says that HaShem asked Moshe to “come to Pharaoh” and deliver a profound message of his demise, by getting to the core of his name. We notice that the words the Torah uses are “El-Pharaoh” (“אֶל-פַּרְעֹה”), which means to Pharaoh’s god, came to teach us that HaShem now will defeat the upper-world “god” of Pharaoh, the Satan.
We know that HaShem can instantly kill Pharaoh and anyone he wishes to, yet he chooses to ask Moshe to participate is this task. HaShem told Moshe that he and His God (HaShem) can and will destroy any idolatry and their so-called gods. The word “Pharaoh” (“פרעה”) has hidden messages according to our Sages. HaShem told Moshe that Pharaoh at his core (his middle) has the root of all evil, he has the “Ra” “רע” (extremely bad) and its surrounded by “Pe” “פה” (mouth). This is meant to teach us about the true essence of Pharaoh, as he spoke one way but behaved truly badly. He kept saying that he will let Bnei-Yisrael go while the plague was upon him, but changed his mind when Moshe stopped it.
Our Sages say that when HaShem brought each one of the following plagues they were three and not one. The plagues of Darkness, Lice and Boils, all came as one combined. They explain such teachings by the words of each, in a nine letter cube structure; by placing each on top and below each other they all read each plague. We can read each word sideways, up and down and they will all read accurately.
ח ש כ
ש ח נ
כ נ מ
The word “Pharaoh” also spells the word “Arpa” (“ערפה”) which means a shameful and animalistic side. According to the Zohar the “Arpa” is the mind on the left, i.e. is the animal soul, separate from the spiritual soul in our body. Pharaoh’s entire existence was very much an animalistic one, as he was just like a wild animal that always hunt and kill (as a snake for no apparent reason), and has no spiritual existence. We also learn that “Erpa” was the Moabite wife of one the sons of Naomi (see Megillat Ruth “וַיִּשְׂא֣וּ לָהֶ֗ם נָשִׁים֙ מֹֽאֲבִיּ֔וֹת שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָרְפָּ֔ה וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית ר֑וּת“). When Naomi went back to the land of Israel, after the death of her husband and two sons, Ruth went with her, but “Arpa” returned to her family in Moav, as she did not trust in HaShem. HaShem was telling Moshe that Pharaoh’s animalistic existence will end soon, with the next three plagues. The word Pharaoh also spells the word “Aphara” (“עפרה”) which means dirt (“עפר”); HaShem was telling Moshe that Pharaoh’s might will be destroyed and buried soon. The name Pharaoh also alludes to the word “Pa’ruah” (“פרע”), meaning lawless without any human rules.
It is worth mentioning here that the ten plagues had a Divine order, from the lowest place as blood (the first plague) seeps into the underground to the firstborn (the last plague) who only HaShem can distinguish between a drop of a Jewish and non-Jewish blood and “Zera””זרע” (seed). We celebrate the first night of Peach with the “Seder” (“סדר”), meaning a certain order. So when we say “Hakol BeSeder” “הכל בסדר” (everything is ok), we mean all is in the right order (the Seder night), our entire story and future redemption. In the words “Bo El-Pharaoh” HaShem gave Moshe a Divine message, saying to him place the value of “Bo”, which is 3 onto the name of Pharaoh that has a numeric value of 355, together is 358, which is the numerical value of the words “Geulah Kerovah” (“גאולה קרובה”), the redemption is close, alluding to the end of exile. Also, 358 is the numerical value of the words “Gam Becha Ya’aminu LeOlam” (“גם בך יאמינו לעולם”), in you (Moshe) they will believe forever.
This time HaShem told Moshe “come” to Pharaoh and not “go to” him as in the past. This teaches us an important lesson, that when a person says I will sin first and then I will do Teshuvah (“תשובה”) I will repent; HaShem will not allow this person the opportunity to repent, to come back. As it says האומר, אחטא ואשוב, אחטא ואשוב, אין מספיקין בידו לעשות תשובה” (יומא-ח’, ט’). Pharaoh too believed that he could sin and later on do Teshuvah and as we know, HaShem did not grant him the opportunity. HaShem did not interfere with Pharaoh’s “freedom of choice”, even if it says that “HaShem hardened his heart”. When HaShem brought on Pharaoh the ten plagues, He gave him the opportunity to change his ways and do Teshuvah. Pharaoh chose not to, and refused to let Bnei-Yisrael go. Although HaShem made it difficult for him to do Teshuvah, he still had the choice to do so. HaShem warned Pharaoh twice; once at the Nile banks (since Pharaoh claimed that the Nile is their god); and the second time in his palace (since Pharaoh claimed that his home is the home of god). We learned that HaShem humbled Nevuchadnetzar (“נבוכדנצר”) in the same manner since he too claimed that he was above all, and so HaShem made him a grass- grazing animal for seven years. HaShem could easily kill Pharaoh just as he killed Titus, placing a tiny Mosquito in his ear and when it penetrated his brain, he jumped to his death after several years.
HaShem even gave such a wicked man as Pharaoh who was ruled by evil influences, the option and opportunity to repent and do Teshuvah, yet he did not. As Jews and HaShem’s chosen people who are influenced by Holy and Divine Kedusha (“קדושה “) and forces by HaShem, must always understand and strive to do a full Teshuvah. This comes to teach us a valuable lesson as the “Chosen People” as we are compared to the moon. Even at the lowest and smallest “shapes” humbling times, we can grow and be filled as the moon is. Our Sages say that the New Moon (the start of every Jewish month) is the most pivotal date in the Jewish calendar. Without the New Moon, we could not have any of the Jewish Holidays. All the Jewish Holidays revolve around the date of the New Moon. The New Moon tells us which day is the first of the month, as the Torah writes (Exodus 12:2), “This month will be for you the first of all months”. The Midrash (Mechilta) explains that “HaShem showed Moshe the moon in its renewal and said to him, ‘When the moon renews itself, you will have a new month.” So too we have the opportunity to always renew ourselves and become whole in our lives and with HaShem.
The Torah writes (verse 11:2) that HaShem told Moshe “Speak now in the ears of the people, and let them ask every man of his male neighbor, and every woman of her female neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold” (“דַּבֶּר-נָא, בְּאָזְנֵי הָעָם; וְיִשְׁאֲלוּ אִישׁ מֵאֵת רֵעֵהוּ, וְאִשָּׁה מֵאֵת רְעוּתָהּ, כְּלֵי-כֶסֶף, וּכְלֵי זָהָב”). HaShem specifically was asking that each Jewish man to ask his male neighbor and each Jewish woman to ask her female neighbor. HaShem, who created men and women, prevented men going to women and vice versa as they can sin while inquiring about Egyptian’s valuables. The Gemara explains that there are three sins that are the hardest to overcome: food, money and sexual relationship. HaShem made sure that Bnei-Yisrael would not be “tested” with such sins at this crucial time, before leaving Egypt.
Parashat Bo בֹּא
The word “Bo” was meant to convey a warning to Pharaoh. HaShem told Moshe, even though I hardened Pharaoh’s heart, this plague is meant to ridicule him and the Egyptian people. They were designed to teach future Jewish generations about how HaShem “toyed” with Pharaoh and his people. It was all done in order to prove to the idol worshipers that HaShem is the one and only God of the universe and all of its creations. HaShem was mocking Pharaoh and his servants by punishing them with such plagues of “Arbe” “ארבה” (swarm of locusts) while being powerless to protect Egypt from it. The message to Pharaoh was “How long would you refuse to humble yourself and believe in Me, in HaShem, the all mighty God? Let my people go and worship Me as I have asked”. HaShem gave Pharaoh an immediate outcome to his actions, which was meant to serve as a warning and an opportunity for him to repent. Moshe told Pharaoh about the next plague that will devour all that remains from the last plague. There is a beautiful teaching by our Sages (Rabbi Shimshon) about the words “בֹּא אֶל-פַּרְעֹה”. HaShem told Moshe to replace the letters of “בֹּא” with the letters of “פַּעֹ” in the name “פַּרְעֹה”, hence getting the next plague as it will spell “ארבה” “Arbe”(locusts).
Here we can find proof that the Torah was given by HaShem only. HaShem informed Moshe and Aaron that “Pharaoh will not hearken unto you; that My wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt” “וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, לֹא-יִשְׁמַע אֲלֵיכֶם פַּרְעֹה–לְמַעַן רְבוֹת מוֹפְתַי, בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם”. It is worth mentioning here that the Rambam (רמב”ם) and his book Mishneh Torah (“משנה תורה”) are hidden here among the verses. The acronym of the Rambam stands for Rabbenu Moshe Ben Maimom, and it is hidden and coded in the words in this verse “Rabot Moftai B’eretz Mitzrayim” (“רְבוֹת מוֹפְתַי, בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם”) acronym, meaning “My marvels multiplied in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 11:9 -12:13). The book of the Rambam, Mishneh Torah (“משנה תורה”), is a book about the 613 Mitzvot in the Torah.
The eighth plague, the “Arbe” (locusts), was a powerful plague that consumed and destroyed all that still remained standing after the past plagues. The swarm of locusts that came upon Egypt obscured the land of Egypt. Moshe conveyed to Pharaoh the gravity of such a plague, as it will be something his parents and grandparents have never experienced before. What was the meaning of Moshe’s statement that these seven types of “extra terrestrial” locusts will be unleashed upon him? The Midrash tells us that these locusts had a very different “structure” and body parts that were above nature.
The word “Arbe” (Locusts) was mentioned seven times in this Parasha; this comes to teach us HaShem brought down upon Pharaoh and Egypt seven kinds of Locusts within the plague:
- Large Locusts
- Small Locusts
- Red Locusts
- Black Locusts
- White Locusts
- Green Locusts
- Brown Locusts
HaShem ordered Moshe to stretch his staff in his hand to the sky and a strong and powerful east wind came upon the land of Egypt day and night. And large swarms of Locusts covered the entire skies of Egypt. HaShem delayed their attack until midnight; He did so in order to offer some Egyptians the opportunity to repent and to obey his instructions. While the Locusts were suspended in mid-air the Egyptian hoped that this will be a great source of food and waited outside for them. The land was stricken with seven plagues and they hoped for a “good use” of these Locusts.
Since Pharaoh did not honor his promise HaShem brought down the ninth plague of Darkness (“חושך”) on the land of Egypt. This plague punished both Egyptians and non-believing Hebrews. HaShem asked Moshe “Stretch your hand towards heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may be felt”. The plague of darkness lasted for six days, unlike the other plagues which lasted for seven days. The seventh day of darkness was kept for the Egyptians who chased Bnei-Yisrael to the sea of reeds.
The Midrash tells us that during the last three days, Bnei-Yisrael walked into the Egyptian homes and found out exactly where their gold and silver were placed. This was done in order to fulfill HaShem’s promise to Avraham that when Bnei-Yisrael leave Egypt they will leave with great fortune.
It teaches us that when Bnei-Yisrael left Egypt, they asked their neighbors for their gold and silver. If the Egyptian claimed that they do not have any, Bnei-Yisrael pointed out to them its exact location in their home. During the plague of Darkness Bnei-Yisrael were illuminated with light around them and they never suffered from the darkness. Those who forfeited their merit to leave Egypt were punished by darkness. They saw HaShem’s miracles yet chose to continue with their idol worshiping and forever vanished in darkness. The Zohar says that one who has money can study Torah better as he has no worries. HaShem was about to give Bnei-Yisrael the Torah and made sure they have the fortune first, as they needed to study Torah without worries. By receiving the Torah the Jews will then never be totally “blocked” again from Teshuvah and redemption by HaShem. The prophecy of richness was promised to Avraham and HaShem considered the Torah as the true “riches” Bnei-Yisrael were leaving Egypt for.
The Midrash says that Avraham asked HaShem to allow the young nation of Bnei-Yisrael a bit of tangible richness as well, as he too agreed with HaShem about the richness of the Torah. He said to HaShem, please give them a small “Sachar” (“שכר “), upfront payment for all the hard work they endured in Egypt. HaShem consented and granted Bnei-Yisrael a tangible fortune upon their departure from Egypt.
In the plague of darkness many wicked Hebrew men vanished, yet two of them did not. Datan and Aviram (“דתן ואבירם”) who were wicked and deserved to die were saved. Why? They were saved because of some good deeds they performed while in Egypt, one of them was taking the beating for those Hebrews who were punished by the Egyptians. Moshe asked HaShem not to kill Datan and Aviram in the plague of Darkness and HaShem granted him his request but said that he will see in future their demise since they deserved it. When Bnei-Yisrael left Egypt Datan and Aviram stayed behind and joined Pharaoh and his forces in the chase to the sea of reeds. Only after seeing the sea part did they join Bnei-Yisrael. It is worth mentioning here that they too, took part in the golden-calf sin and is Korach’s (“קורח”) sin.
The tenth plague, “Bechorot” (“בכורות”), was the death of all firstborn Egyptians. Moshe informed Pharaoh about the plague and its approximate commencement, “like at midnight”; this comes to teach us of the precision of this plague, and it was done to inform Pharaoh of HaShem’s personal involvement in this plague. For the first time HaShem used an extra word for a plague, “Negah” (“נגע”), meaning hit or infliction. This is the only plague named “MaKah” (“מכה”) in addition to its name. The Midrash says that Pharaoh was a bit “amused”; he claimed that there are not many “firstborn” in Egypt. He was not aware that Egyptian men and women lost all morality and cheated on their spouses with many others, and as a result there were large number of firstborns in Egypt, and each man and woman had several firstborn children. One Midrash says that only one of Pharaoh’s firstborn survived this plague in order to attest to future nations of HaShem’s miracles and the plagues brought upon Egypt.
The word “Bechor” (“בכור” – firstborn); it teaches us the profound miracle HaShem made for us in Egypt. HaShem killed all the Egyptian’s firstborn in retaliation for the killing of Bnei-Yisrael’s firstborn. By keeping and preforming the Mitzvah of Bikurim (first ripen offerings to the Beit-Hamikdash) we thank HaShem for the miracle of saving our firstborn in the plague of “Makat Bechorot”.
Moshe told Pharaoh (verse 11:4-7) that “About midnight I, HaShem will go out into the midst of Egypt and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of cattle. And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there was none like it, nor shall be like it any more. But against any of the children of Israel, not a dog shall move its tongue, neither against man or beast”. This teaches us that dogs usually bark at people passing by, especially those holding a stick in their hand, but when Bnei-Yisrael left Egypt or walked among the Egyptians at night, not even one dog barked. The dogs did not even bark at the animals of Bnei-Yisrael. The Midrash tells us that Eliyahu Hanavi (“אליהו הנביא“) once killed four hundred false prophets and gave their bodies to the dogs, and the dogs rejoiced. This was one of their payments for not barking at Bnei-Yisrael in Egypt. In the future when Eliyahu Hanavi will come with the Mashiach the dogs will rejoice again.
HaShem promised a “great cry” among the Egyptian people that had never happened before and will never happen again (just as the Mabul (the flood in Noach’s time) was brought upon the world one time and shall never happen again. Again HaShem promised that this plague will not affect Bnei-Yisrael and will be a lesson of separation among the Hebrews and the Egyptians. Then HaShem said that He too will leave Egypt with Bnei-Yisrael.
Now In verse 12:1 we received the first Mitzvah, the Mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh (“ראש חודש”), sanctifying the beginning of each month, as well as the Mitzvah of Pesach (“פסח “ – Passover). The Torah writes “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you” (“הַחֹדֶשׁ הַזֶּה לָכֶם, רֹאשׁ חֳדָשִׁים: רִאשׁוֹן הוּא לָכֶם, לְחָדְשֵׁי הַשָּׁנָה”). HaShem ordered Moshe and Aharon to mark the first day of the month of “Nissan” (“ניסן “) as Rosh Chodesh. This was meant to always remind the Jewish generations of the miracles HaShem did in Egypt, especially during this month. This Mitzvah is combined of both earth and universe as the new moon starts, and the people of Israel celebrate on earth.
HaShem told Moshe and Aaron that this shall be the first of the months to Bnei-Yisrael. HaShem ordered Bnei-Yisrael to take an unblemished male lamb on the tenth day of Nissan to offering as a sacrifice to HaShem. This male lamb shall be tied to the bed-post for four days, until the fourteenth of Nissan and shall be slaughtered late in the afternoon before sundown. This was an extremely dangerous course of action to be taken by the Hebrews. First, the lamb was considered a “god” to the Egyptians; second it was supposed to be tide-up; thirdly it was supposed to be slaughtered. Moshe asked HaShem about the meaning of such a commandment, saying that this can be devastating to Bnei-Yisrael. He claimed that Pharaoh and the Egyptians would attack Bnei-Yisrael. HaShem assured him that no such thing will happened, and also set this as a condition to the redemption.
It is important to mention here that we the Jews are the only nation that celebrates each holiday at its exact day and date, due to HaShem’s commandment to celebrate the holiday of Passover on the fourteenth of Nissan, at spring time. The Jews created the calendar, as it was taught to us by HaShem, according to the Sun and the Moon; that is why our holidays always occur at the same time during the year. On the other hand the Muslims, go by the moon only and so their holidays always move from season to season (date to date) like the Ramadan that is celebrated sometimes in winter and other times in the summer. The Christians go by the Sun and their holidays have a set date in the Gregorian calendar, as they do not go by the season. The Zohar and the Talmud (in Masechehet Brachot 32b) speaks of the entire universe and its galaxies with a detailed description of our solar system. Our Sages created the Jewish calendar and the system of leap years, to ensure that the holidays will always occur on the same season. The beginning of the month was determined by direct observation of the new moon. The beginning of month (Rosh Hodesh) was sanctified and announced by the Sanhedrin; the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, after they thoroughly examined the testimony of two witnesses that testified that they had seen the new crescent; after it was confirmed by calculation it was duly accepted.
HaShem told Moshe that those who would not take a lamb, as HaShem commanded, will never leave Egypt. Taking the so-called Egyptian “god” was meant to have those among Bnei-Yisrael who believed in that “god” do Teshuvah and deny this “god”. It was also meant to test their belief in HaShem and His superiority over all Egypt. More importantly it was meant to teach the Egyptians and Pharaoh a lesson and a punishment of measure for measure (“מידה כנגד מידה”) for what they did to Bnei-Yisrael, having idolized such false god. The reason for having the lamb for four days was that it usually took four days to check for impurity and blemishes. HaShem also ordered those who could not afford to get their own lamb to share with their neighbor.
Bnei-Yisrael were also commanded to perform one of the most important Mitzvah; the Brit Milah (“ברית מילה “), the circumcision of all the males among Bnei-Yisrael. This Mitzvah was also set as condition to redemption. Moshe was also told that those among Bnei-Yisrael who will not perform the Mitzvah of Brit Milah, will never leave Egypt. This was another reason for keeping the lamb for four days as it takes three days to heal from the circumcision; the fourth day was to inspect the lamb. There are three very important Mitzvot each Jew must perform and observe that bind us directly to HaShem. The acronym of the word “Shabbat” (“שבת”) stands for these three Mitzvot: Shabbat (“שבת”), Brit-Milah (“ברית מילה”), and Tefillin (“תפילין”). These Mitzvot are considered “Ott He LeOlam” (“אות היא לעולם”), meaning they are the direct link and sign to being Jewish and partner with HaShem forever.
On the evening on the fourteenth day of Nissan, when Bnei-Yisrael sacrificed the lamb, HaShem instructed them to take the blood of the lamb and to “mark” their doors. These markings were on each side of the door, left and right as well as above the post. These markings were meant to resemble the letter “Chet” (“ח”) which stands for Life. HaShem also commanded Bnei-Yisrael to cook the lamb on fire and not to boil it in water. This meant to have the smell spread all over the land of Egypt. Again this was designed to show Pharaoh and the Egyptians HaShem’s might and control over their gods. We need to truly understand HaShem’s request to take the blood and mark the doorway. HaShem knew who is a Hebrew and who is not; he does not need to have a sign on a doorway. The true purpose of slaughtering the“Egyptian god”, the lamb was merely to test the faith of individuals Hebrews and their belief in HaShem.
The use of blood on the doorposts was a sign of “Mezuzah” (“מזוזה”) as it saved them from death when HaShem was “passing” over these homes. The word “Pesach” (“פסח”) means “passing over” and skipping their homes. The Torah writes (verse 12:13) the word “Ott” (“לְאֹת”), that is used by HaShem speaking of the blood on the doorposts as an oath. The blood here is an indication to the same “oath” will be used by the blood from the Brit Milah used as markings as well. HaShem ordered Bnei-Yisrael to eat the lamb with Matzot and bitter herbs. They must roast it as a one piece over fire and not leave any leftover; all must be eaten that night. Any leftover must be burned. HaShem also instructed Bnei-Yisrael to be ready to travel, meaning that they shall be “packed” and ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Once again HaShem described the plague that He about to inflict that night, saying “I will smite all the firstborn in Egypt, while passing your homes”; HaShem promised that this will be act in “judgment” as he will be the one to perform such task. HaShem told Bnei-Yisrael that this day shall be remembered for ever and ever, and shall be celebrated every year for generations to come. The word “Mezuzah” (“מזוזה”) has a two words hidden in it. It is a combination of the words “Mize” (“מזה”) and “VeZe” (“וזה”), which means from this side and from the other side, alluding to the protection from in and out of the house. The word “Mezuzot” (“מזוזות “ – plural for Mezuzah) also has a two-word combination hidden in it: “Moziz” (“מוזז”) and “Mavet” (“מות”), meaning removing death, alluding to the protection from death by having more Mezuzot.
HaShem gave Bnei-Yisrael all the laws related to the 14th day of Nissan, as well as the laws of respecting another Jew, and how we must respect a convert, “one law shall be to him that is citizen, and unto the stranger that lives among you” (“תּוֹרָה אַחַת, יִהְיֶה לָאֶזְרָח, וְלַגֵּר, הַגָּר בְּתוֹכְכֶם”), and how we are all obligated to observe these laws. That day Bnei-Yisrael kept and preformed all that HaShem ordered them to, and He took them out of Egypt personally just as He promised. HaShem ordered Moshe to sanctify every firstborn among Bnei-Yisrael and even their animals. The Midrash tells us that HaShem spoke specifically about the firstborn donkeys. The reason HaShem spoke of donkeys is to teach us that when Bnei-Yisrael left Egypt, each of them had thirty donkeys carrying their wealth they took out of Egypt. Also to hint to us that just as a donkey was used by Avraham Avinu and Moshe in the past, the same donkey will be coming with Mashiach.