By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
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 Parasha Bo? This must be an important parasha, right? Rashi is referring to the first mitzvah we learn about this week, given to the Jewish people while still in Egypt. 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 fearless thinking, our relationships with others, our lifestyle habits? Certainly, though, perhaps there’s something else.
Parasha Bo deals with the final three plagues inflicted upon Egypt and the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery. From a psychological perspective, the story emphasized themes of oppression and liberation, as well as the power of fearless faith and the struggle for freedom. The plagues can be seen as a manifestation of the Israelites’ growing sense of power and agency, as they are able to resist and overcome their oppressors. The Exodus can be seen as a symbol of the human desire for autonomy and self-determination. Additionally, the parasha also deals with the theme of Hashem’s protection and guidance, which can be seen as a form of psychological security and guidance.
There are five key themes for our growth in this week’s Torah reading that include:
- Hashem’s power and authority: The parasha emphasizes Hashem’s ability to perform miracles, such as the ten plagues, to demonstrate His power and authority over the Egyptians.
- The importance of obedience: The Israelites are commanded to obey Hashem’s instructions, such as observing the Passover and taking the spoils of Egypt, to receive His blessings.
- The importance of remembering: The Israelites are commanded to remember and pass down the story of the Exodus, as well as the commandments given to them, to future generations.
- The importance of Shabbat: The Israelites are commanded to observe Shabbat, as a reminder of our liberation from slavery and as a sign of our covenant with Hashem.
- The importance of the firstborns: The Israelites are commanded to consecrate all the firstborns of the Israelites, and of their cattle, to Hashem.
So, how would renewing our belief in the seeming impossible, in the “miraculous,” help improve our daily lives beyond these five roots? And what would it take for us to achieve this transformative, spiritual renewal building on these? Do we need to see the Nile River turn to blood, the land covered with frogs, the dirt turn into lice? When we see these, when we 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 – free of fear.
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 in fact work out? “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!!”
A major theme in this week’s Torah reading, is the psychology of fear. The plagues inflicted upon the Egyptians by Hashem, such as the Nile turning to blood and the locusts, instill fear in the hearts of the Egyptians and in Pharoah. This fear is used as a tool to control and manipulate their actions, ultimately leading to the release of the Israelites from slavery. The Israelites also experienced fear, particularly the fear of the unkown and the fear of change as they leave Egypt and embark on their journey towards the Promised Land. Additionally, the fear of Hashem’s power and wrath is a recurring theme throughout the parasha, as the Israelites and the Egyptians witness the might of Hashem and the consequences of disobedience.
This parasha holds a fascinating insight into what holds many back from seeing clearly – fear. The chapter opens with the following words: And Hashem said to Moses: “Come to Pharaoh…” The Zohar [classical mystical text] asks the question: Why does it say, “Come to Pharaoh”? It should have said, “Go to Pharaoh” … But Hashem brought Moses into a chamber within a chamber, to the… supernal and mighty serpent from which many levels evolve…which Moses feared to approach himself because he saw that he was rooted in supernal roots…”
Moses had already visited Pharaoh many times before he heard this commandment, “Come to Pharaoh.” What led to Moses to feeling anxiety and fear this time around? And how did Hashem’s response “Come to Pharaoh” mitigate his fear?
There is an interesting turn in language here that serves as a profound psychological lesson on how to see events through a different lens. The first few words of our portion, וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בֹּ֖אאֶל־פַּרְעֹ֑ה, “Vayomer Adonai el Moshe: Boel Pharoah”) are usually translated: “And Hashem said to Moses, go to Pharaoh.” In the middle of the story of the Ten Plagues, Hashem says, go back to Pharaoh and tell him to let His people go. But the word Bo doesn’t mean go. It means “come.” “Come to Pharaoh,” Hashem is saying to Moses.
When Hashem directs Moses, “come to Pharaoh,” He is saying “come to Me.” The Ba’al Shem Tov teaches in a parable that He is saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am here behind the screen. All the tests are just from me. With everything you do, you’re getting closer to Me. I am the good found in all the struggle. Come to Me and I will take you high above the darkness of this world, and then I will show you how I was really with you the whole time.” In essence he is suggesting the famous FEAR acronym “Face Everything and Rise,” rather than “Forget Everything and Run.”
When you are most filled with fear, with mistrust in others and your own capability to achieve safety and success, Bo reminds us to keep in mind that that we are not alone. Hashem is saying, “I will always be here, especially when it is most difficult.”
“Adonai li, v’lo ira: Hashem is with me, I will not fear.” It is exactly there, in the hardest things, that we can discover our courage through our trust and faith. When clients tell me they are “observant,” that they are diligent in prayer but feel anxiety and fear, I remind them of this parasha. It helps awaken them to their genuine Emunah and Bitachon. It is there, in the things that scare us the most, that we are reminded that Hashem is calling us, encouraging us to come to Him. Parasha Bo’s greatest lesson is to never accede, to never give in, to never give up.
Hashem’s response to the anxiety Moses felt is, “Come with Me, I go with you.” This is the powerful message that each of us must take from parasha Bo – “Come with Me.” No matter how grim our circumstances, we are never alone.
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Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D., prepares a weekly D’var Torah for Young Israel of San Diego, where he and his family are members. They are also active members of Congregation Adat Yeshurun. He may be contacted via michael.mantell@sdjewishworld.com