Parshas Bo – To Be Inspired (5760)

Parshas Bo (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

The foundation of our relationship to HaShem and our commitment to fulfill His will is the gratitude we feel towards Him which is mainly based on Yetzias Mitzraim.   The Parshios of these weeks are the main source and light of His sovereignty over the universe and the world.  These Parshios are therefore basic for they are the foundation of our service.

During these weeks there is a special Siyata DiShmaya, Divine help, in doing Teshuva.  The usual explanation for this is seen in a kabalistic light, having to do with high spiritual concepts.  As an additional explanation, since there is a strong element of rejuvenation, reawakening and reestablishment in our belief and motivation to serve HaShem, the period brings with it enthusiasm for repentance.  Following this line of thought one should invest time and effort to visualize as clearly as possible to create and to relive the experience that Klal Yisroel underwent.

An aspect of the miracles of the plagues puzzled me.  The purpose of the miracles was to reveal and demonstrate that “I am the King and the Creator”.  This was shown and seen by the control of the different facets of powers of the world and of all the laws of the universe.  HaShem showed who was the ‘boss’.  Each of the commandments Moshe was given to initiate the plague was accompanied by instructions of preliminary prerequisites that had to be done.  These instructions included the use of the “staff” and orders of what to do with it.      Dam (blood) [7:19] “Take your staff and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt.  Over the rivers, canals, ponds and all the gatherings of water”.
Kinim (lice)[8:12]  “Stretch your staff and strike the dust of the land”.
Shechin (boils) [9:8]  “Take your cupped handsful of furnace soot and throw it Heavenward”; not to mention the elaborate instructions of the Plague of the First-Born.  The impression is that these miracles could only be accomplished by first following the instructions– “first read the manual”.  The whole idea of having preliminary requirements seems to be diametrically opposed to the whole point of the plague, which is that HaShem has absolute and complete control.

One possible explanation may be as follows. First as an introduction with the understanding that the only way this world can exist is with the presence of Hashem, at least partially, hidden. If it were revealed in its totality the world simply could not be.  Even when HaShem reveals Himself, there always are and must be blocks, curtains and limitations.

The simple understanding of the preliminary acts Hashem instructed in order for the plagues to take place is that they were an integral part of the actual miracle of the plague. However we might venture to present a unique way of looking at this. The “manual book of instructions” was not really to make the miracles and to reveal the glory of Hashem, but rather to clothe, minimize and to hide His true honor and revelation.

An important and practical lesson is that our infinite search and quest for HaShem is a fulfillment of the highest purpose of our existence.  This is reflected in what we say each morning in our prayers: “Bakshu Panav Tamid”—seek His presence always.   He constantly shows His Presence to the world, to His nation, and to each individual.  This can be seen by observing the Hashgacha Pratis of His manipulation of the events of the world, our nation and private lives.  We must, however, see through the curtains that obscure, and the smog that blocks our vision as explained above regarding the staff.  These are put there for us to dispel, and then we can bask in His presence and glory.  “Ki Vo Yismach Libaynu”—with Him our hearts shall rejoice.