Parasha Bo
SAN DIEGO — Rashi‘s first question on the Torah is: If the Torah is the book of the Jewish people’s Divine Law, why doesn’t it start with Parashat Bo? This must be a pretty important parasha, right? Rashi is referring to the first mitzvah we learn about this week, given to the Jewish people while still in Egypt, the commandment to observe the month of Nisan, in order to prepare for the first Passover at the time of the Exodus.
This mitzvah, to mark Rosh Chodesh, is a reminder for us to be “m’chadesh,” to renew ourselves. What would serve us well to renew? Our thinking, our relationships with others, our lifestyle habits? Certainly, though perhaps there’s something else.
How would renewing our belief in the seeming impossible, in the “miraculous,” do for improving our daily lives? And what would it take for us to achieve this transformative, spiritual renewal? Do we need to see the Nile River turn to blood, the land covered with frogs, the dirt turn to lice? When we see these, are reminded of them in remembrance of the Exodus, we are also reminded that Hashem controls the world and continues to do so daily. Exodus didn’t happen just to take us from Egypt, but to teach us to believe in the ultimate power of Hashem.
We all see many things in the secular world take place “in the natural,” but how do we explain it when things we thought would be impossible to work out, do, and vice versa? “Ah, I guess it was just luck,” some might (sadly and incorrectly) believe. Others believe, “WOW! Look at the hand of Hashem in my life! B’H!!”
The Ramban tells us that from seeing open miracles we can recognize hidden miracles. Just having returned from a beautiful vacation in Costa Rica with family, it’s clear to understand what the Chovos Halevavos in his Shaar Habechina (Gate of Reflection) means when he says that contemplating the workings of nature helps us see the good that Hashem brings to us. Study nature, the ecosystem, the human body, and you will see the goodness of miracles Hashem brings to us.
Some, filled with awe, saw the Red Sea part and with their receptive hearts and open minds, experienced a miracle. Others, perhaps more arrogantly, believed there had to be a more natural, scientific, explanation. Do you choose to see miracles fill your days, your life?
Moshe and Aharon pointed out Pharoah’s lack of humility (Exodus 10:3), “So Moses and Aaron came to Pharaoh and said to him, “So said the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, and they will worship Me.” Some are like Pharoah, filled with arrogance and refuse to be humble enough to entertain the possibility of Hashem’s hand miraculously filling their lives. “What, ME, assume there is someone or something greater than ME?,” that person might ask.
Those among us who see, enjoy, the unexplained outcomes in life, are humble enough to admit they are reliant on the greatness of Hashem. They do not see this as self-belittlement, but rather as the optimal way to live a good, meaningful, life.
Perhaps this is part of the renewal that parasha Bo brings to us, and this may be another reason Rashi sees such importance in this week’s Torah reading. Seek Hashem and see Him acting on your behalf. Believe in His supernatural powers and don’t dismiss your miracle!
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Michael Mantell, Ph.D writes a d’var Torah each week for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family worship.