Weekly Torah Lesson
Parasha: Bo – come
Torah: Shemot 10:1 – 13:16
This question which Avinu put before Paro through Moshe applies to every human being on the planet. We all, in some degree, have a piece of “Paro” within us. Being “humble” is being obedient when we don’t understand the reasoning behind the instruction.
Then Avinu said to Moshe, “Go in to Paro, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, (Shemot 10:1a)
Although it would have been difficult, Avinu never took away Paro’s ability to choose whether to obey or not. The “hardened heart” that we experience today is the result of our “pride” and the “imaginations” of our past experiences.
that I may show these signs of mine among them, (Shemot 10:1b)
The “signs” (plagues) that Avinu was putting Mitzryim (Egypt) through were designed to make Paro force Israel to leave Mitzryim against their will.
and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and of your grandson how I have dealt harshly with the Egyptians and what signs I have done among them, (Shemot 10:2)
We use the Mitzryimian experience today (1300 years after it actually happened) to understand how and by Whom we are being “delivered” from our own Mitzryim.
that you may know that I am Avinu.”
Now we understand “why” we are being delivered.
So Moshe and Aaron went in to Paro and said to him, “Thus says Avinu, Elohei Ivrim, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. (Shemot 10:3)
The first reason that we are being delivered is “so that you will know Me”. The second reason is “so that “..that they may serve Me..”.
Being humble is a “pre-condition” for Salvation. Paro finally obeyed Avinu because his “fear” outweighed his stubborn heart. When his fear subsided a couple of days after Israel left, his stubborn heart took over again and he gathered his chariots and pursued Israel to his death.
We should think about “Paro” the next time we are faced with an instruction that we don’t understand.
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