Hamaayan/The Torah Spring Edited by Shlomo Katz Parashat Bo Volume VI/Number 15 (249) 6 Shevat 5752/January 11, 1992 Parasha Overview In this Parasha we read of the last three plagues that Hashem brought on Egypt, and of the first Mitzvot that Hashem commanded to Bnei Yisrael through Moshe. These include the Mitzvot of "Korban Pesach" (Pascal sacrifice), Tefilin, and Mezuzah, and the prohibition of eating Chometz on Pesach. Ramban writes that unlike the first seven plagues, which were intended to punish Pharaoh and the Egyptians, the last three (those found in this Parasha) were designed primarily to demonstrate Hashem's power to the Egyptians. Also, they enabled Bnei Yisrael to tell their children and grandchildren that Hashem can do anything that He wishes with the universe. The Mitzvot listed above were given to us, according to Ramban, for precisely this purpose - to serve as reminders of Hashem's miracles and to provoke discussion between parents and children on this subject. The Haftara read by the Jews of Baghdad and Yemen (Yishayahu 18:7-19:25) foretells that the Egyptians will someday learn the lessons that Hashem sought to teach them through the plagues of this Parasha (R' Moshe Alshich). "On that day, "says the prophet, "an altar to Hashem will be built in the land of Egypt.. and Hashem will make Himself known to the Egyptians, and the Egyptians will know Hashem on that day, and they will make sacrifices and gifts, and they will take vows to Hashem and fulfill them." The sacrifices that the Egyptians will bring are particularly significant, for, as Rambam explains (Moreh Nevochim III,46), the purpose of the Korban Pesach was to dispute the Egyptians' claim that the lamb was a diety, and may not be offered as a sacrifice. Alschich notes that the Egyptians acceptance of Hashem will not come about easily, but only after more plagues which will demonstrate once and for all that Hashem controls all of nature. (Note: Malbim records conflicting views about whether this prophecy refers to some period after Yishayahu's time, but before our own, or to the days of Mashiach. See also Menachot 109b) Among the troubles that will befall the Egyptians before their repentance is (or was) an invasion by Nevuchadnezar, the king of Bavel. This is foretold in the Haftara (Yirmiyahu 46:13-28) read by most Ashkenazic and Sephardic communities. R' Yehonatan Eyebschutz writes that after Bnei Yisrael slaughtered lambs for the Korban Pesach, the Egyptians abandoned that animal as their god and adopted the calf instead. The error of their ways will be demonstrated, however, when the Babylonians swoop down from the north. This is the meaning of the verse (Yirmiyahu 46:20), "You, so very beautiful heifer, Eygpt! Destruction has come from the north; it is here." (Ahavat Yehonatan). However, just as in Egypt the plagues that attacked the oppressors did not destroy Bnei Yisrael, so too during these future plagues, "Do not fear, my servant Yaakov" (verse 28). Even though Nevuchadnezar killed many of Egypt's Jews, the Jewish nation will never be destroyed (Malbim). These words reassure the Jew even when the Jew is wandering in exile, writes R' Joseph Breuer, for he perceives "even the most terrible blows of fate as manifestations of that ever loving and disciplining Divine Providence which, by its unwillingness to let any wrongdoing go unpunished, shows the care and concern with which G-d strives to improve and uplift the children of [Yaakov]." ************************************ Pharaoh was not punished for keeping Bnei Yisrael as slaves. Who in his right mind would free his 600,000 (or more) slaves just because two people (Moshe and Aharon) demanded it of him?! Rather, Pharaoh was punished for saying, "Who is Hashem, that I should listen to Him?" For denying G-d there is no excuse, and the plagues were brought to teach Pharaoh that lesson. (R' Velvel Brisker) ************************************ "In order that that you may relate in the ears of your son and your grandson how I fought the Egyptians...and you shall know that I am Hashem." (10:2) It is well known that in order to completely convince others of something, the speaker must himself believe what he is saying. In keeping with this, the above verse may also be read, "In order to relate to your descendants how I fought Egypt, you must believe that I am Hashem." (R' Yehoshua of Belz) ************************************ "And you shall tell you son...'Because of this Hashem did [miracles] for me when I left Egypt'." (13:8) Rashi comments: "Because of this - In order that I may observe His Mitzvot, such as Pesach, Matzah, and Maror." This Rashi is hinting at the lesson that is told in the name of R' Yerucham of Mir. One might think that man is a creation which happens to be obligated in Mitzvot, but this is not so. In fact, our creation and all of history took place solely to enable us to perform Mitzvot. We are not obligated to keep Pesach because Hashem took us out of Egypt. Hashem took us out of Egypt in order that we may observe Pesach. (Shai Latorah) ************************************ "In order that you may remember all the days of your life, the day on which you left Egypt." (Devarim 16:3) The Mitzvah to remember the Exodus on a daily basis not only allows us to thank Hashem for His kindness in redeeming us from slavery and making us His chosen nation, it actually strengthens us and assures our continued existence as we wander from country to country in our exile. As we are persecuted and despised [openly or more subtly] in our host nations, we can easily despair. If someone says that we are the lowliest of peoples, we might believe him, but remembering the Exodus tells us that this is not so. Look at all of the "trouble" (so-to-speak) to which Hashem went to take us out of Egypt and turn us into His people. In Sh'mot 19:5 we read Hashem's words, "And it will come to pass if you listen to My voice...and you will be My treasure among the nations..." We can interpret this as meaning that listening to Hashem's voice means realizing that we are His chosen nation. This is not meant in a vain or haughty way, G-d forbid, but this knowledge can prevent our assimilation into the lands of our exile. [Ed. note: In World of Prayer (vol. I, pp.26 and 48), R' Elie Munk enjoins us to see "Choseness" as duty, not a privilege, and certainly not a cause for conceit. Please see that work for a more complete explanation of this often misunderstood concept.] Remembering the Exodus reassures us that we are not abandoned, and we can if fact see evidence of this every day. How else [in Chazal's words] can a lamb exist among seventy wolves? This is possible only if the lamb is protected by an exceptional shepherd. This may explain why the Torah says that the Exodus occurred through Hashem's mighty hand and outstretched arm. The mighty hand refers to the strength which Hashem demonstrated as the events of the Exodus unfolded. The outstretched arm refers to Hashem's constant presence in our lives, always rescuing us when we are in danger. (R' Yehoshua Rabinowitz: Haggadah Shel Pesach Torat Yehoshua) ************************************ "Kodshim" Among their other study "habits", the Soloveitchik family is known for its love of the Talmudic tractates which fall under the heading of "Kodshim" (literally: "holy things"), i.e. the laws of the Temple service and sacrifices. For many centuries these laws were not commonly studied, it being thought more important to study "practical" tractates, but the past century has seen a revival of the study of Kodshim. Two forces are credited with inspiring this revival: the Soloveitchik family and R' Yisrael Meir Hakohen (the "Chofetz Chaim"). R' Shlomo Yosef Zevin writes that hundreds of students flocked to R' Velvel "Brisker" Soloveitchik's lectures in Kodshim, although the students' motives may have been more to hear R' Velvel than to study Kodshim (which is what R' Velvel happened to be learning). According to one student of R' Moshe Soloveitchik (R' Velvel's brother), the family's interest in Kodshim was a personal one inspired by the fact that the Soloveitchik's are Levi'im and will someday work in the rebuilt Bet Hamikdash. Also, they consider it rewarding to apply their considerable skills to a portion of the Torah which is largely abandoned, a choice which the Chafetz Chaim compared to mining for diamonds in an abandoned but still rich mine, rather than in a place where all of the other miners are searching. The Chafetz Chaim, by contrast, devoted himself to bringing the study of Kodshim to the general public. To this end he wrote open letters and editorials in Jewish newspapers (see for example Michtevei Harav Chafetz Chaim, nos. 6-8), spoke publicly on the subject, and wrote a multi-volume study aid and Halachic compendium, Likutei Halachot. He also founded a "Kollel" (institute) for the study of Kodshim. The Chafetz Chaim offered two primary reasons for studying Kodshim, one applicable to scholars and the other to the common man. If we truly believe that Mashiach can arrive any day, asked the Chafetz Chaim, what are we doing to prepare ourselves for his arrival? When the Bet Hamikdash is rebuilt, every G-d fearing Jew hurry to Yerushalayim to bring sacrifices, but who will know the procedures to be followed? For this reason, the Chafetz Chaim said, it is incumbent on all Kohanim (and on Torah scholars, whether they are Kohanim or not) to study these laws. As for the less scholarly person, there is an immediate practical benefit to studying Kodshim. In the words of the prophet Hoshea (14:3), "Our lips will pay for the oxen." Although we cannot bring oxen (or other animals) as sacrifices today, Chazal learned from several verses that the study of the laws of the sacrifices is seen in Heaven as equivalent to bringing a sacrifice. ************************************ The learning schedule for this Shabbat is: Daily Mishnah Kelim 11:5-6 (Learn two Mishnayot every day) Daily Halacha Orach Chaim (Mishnah Berura) 331:5-7 (Learn three paragraphs each day) Daf Yomi Beitzah 19 (Learn two sides of a page each day) Shmirat Halashon: "Tziyurim" 3 or Guard Your Tongue: L.H. 4:17-19 Rambam Chapter/Day: Hilchot Rotzeach V'Shmirat Nefesh - Ch. 7 3 Chapters/Day: Hilchot Shechitah - Ch. 6-8 Sefer Hamitzvot Sh:P147; Su:N306; M:P148; Tu:N61; W:N62; Th:N248,N249; F:P7 ************************************ The hard copy distribution of this week's Hamaayan is sponsored by: Dr. and Mrs. Martin Swartz in memory of grandmother Elise Hofmann The Marwick family in memory of Joel L. Slotsky The Sager and Champion-Sager family in memory of Henry Sput