Parashat Bo 5784

by Rabbi Margie Cella

Parashat Bo tells us of the continued confrontations between Moses and Pharaoh, beginning with the description of the eighth and ninth plagues: first locusts, followed by thick darkness. Each time after the plague is lifted, Pharaoh’s heart is further hardened, and he continues his stubborn refusal to free the nation.

God instructs that each Israelite family is to sacrifice a lamb and put the blood on the doorposts of their homes. For seven days they are to eat only unleavened bread, establishing this ritual for all time.

The tenth and final plague brings the death of every Egyptian firstborn, including Pharaoh’s own son. This at last convinces him to let the Israelites go.

Before the arrival of the locusts, Pharaoh had seemed to relent. Summoning Moses and Aaron to him, he asked who would go. Moses explained that they ALL would go, young and old, sons and daughters, flocks and herds. Pharaoh insisted that only the men would be permitted to go, leaving the women and children behind. This proved unacceptable to Moses; no one was to be left behind. Sometimes we are faced with a choice that may benefit ourselves, but at the expense of others. Like Moses, we need to remember that everyone else is equally as important in God’s eyes as we are.  Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh – All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.