By Michael R. Mantell, Ph.D.
EL CAJON, California –– Parsha Bo’s greatest lesson is to never accede, to never give in, to never give up. A wonderful lesson on Mental Health Awareness Shabbat in the UK, a day dedicated to promoting good mental health within the Jewish community.
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 would be wise to take from learning parsha Bo – “Come with Me.” No matter how grim our circumstances, we are never alone. Let’s take a deeper look at how fear and anxiety are dealt with in this week’s Torah portion.
This week, in Bo, we are introduced to the profound and unsettling experience of darkness that the Egyptians endure. The imagery of this darkness is powerful and vivid—so much so that in just two short verses, the Torah speaks of choshech (darkness) three times, describing it as “a darkness that can be touched” and “thick darkness,” so intense and oppressive that “for three days no one could move about.” Yet, in stark contrast, the Israelites are surrounded by light in their homes.
So, what exactly is it about darkness that makes it a plague? We can easily understand how physical burdens like blood turning to water or swarms of pests are plagues—obvious, tangible disruptions. But why darkness?
The rabbis of the Talmud offer a deep, spiritual insight: they teach us that darkness represents a state in which distinction itself becomes obscured. In darkness, our ability to discern between right and wrong, good and bad, often becomes blurred. This confusion of perception is itself a spiritual plague, a state of disorientation and alienation.
In this light, the tzitzit become a powerful symbol. The colors of the tzitzit are meant to remind us of the mitzvot guide us toward clarity and light. Just as the tzitzit offer a point of focus, a way to remember the divine commandments amidst the fog of confusion, so too do they represent the light that can break through the darkness. The light that shines through the practice of mitzvot allows us to maintain a sense of direction and moral clarity, even when the world around us feels clouded and uncertain.
This contrast between the thick darkness of Egypt and the light of the Israelites invites us to reflect on our own lives. At times, we may find ourselves surrounded by irrational confusion or disillusionment, feeling as though we are walking in darkness. Yet, the Torah reminds us that even in such moments, the light of our inner guidance, of our values and spiritual practices, can illuminate the path forward, bringing us back to clarity and peace. Just as the tzitzit offer a way to focus on the light within, we too can turn inward and draw strength from our spiritual life that can guide us through life’s darkest moments.
Fear is a powerful force in our lives, especially in uncertain times. From a psychological perspective, fear can be one of the most limiting emotions we experience. It can prevent us from reaching our potential, from taking risks, and from stepping into opportunities that might allow us to grow. You would think that, after all the thousands of psychological books, papers, research, we would have found a way to eliminate fear completely. But fear isn’t something we can simply “get rid of.” It’s a part of our human condition, and it requires ongoing management. We may never be free of fear, but we can learn to navigate it, to use it as a signal for growth rather than an obstacle to success.
In this sense, the great leaders and teachers in our history were not those who never felt afraid, but those who learned how to respond to fear with courage and resilience. This is the central message in parsha Bo. God’s communication with Moses in this passage provides us with a subtle yet profound insight into how we can shift our perspective on fear and challenges.
The Torah says, “Vayomer Adonai el Moshe: Bo el Paroh,” which is typically translated as, “And G-d said to Moses, go to Pharaoh.” However, the Hebrew word bo doesn’t mean “go”; it means “come.” Hashem isn’t telling Moses to “go” face Pharaoh alone. Rather, He is inviting Moses to “come” closer—to move toward a deeper connection with Hashem. This small but significant linguistic shift reveals a powerful lesson: In the face of the most daunting challenges, we are not alone.
There is a famous story from the Baal Shem Tov that beautifully illustrates this idea. A king builds a fortress with ten walls, each more difficult to pass than the last. Only one subject makes it through all the challenges to reach the king. When this person finally faces the king, he breaks down in tears and asks, “Why did it have to be so hard? Why were the tests so painful?” The king tells him, “Turn around.” When the man turns, he sees that the walls were never real—they were an illusion. He was always in the king’s presence.
This story mirrors the deeper meaning of bo—the idea that our challenges, though they may seem insurmountable, are not obstacles placed by a distant or uncaring force. They are part of a journey in which we are invited to move closer to our source, to connect more deeply with the divine. Hashem is not distant; He is present in every challenge, and the struggles we face are opportunities for us to grow and discover strength within ourselves. We would be wise to build patience with the process of our growth, learn to be tolerant with uncertainty, create more faith in our own capacity for change and of course to remain committed to ongoing personal development.
Hashem’s command to Moses to “come” rather than “go” is an invitation to Moses to recognize that, even during his greatest fear, he is not walking alone. Hashem is with him, every step of the way. Moses may think he is facing Pharaoh, but he is moving toward Hashem.
When we face our fears, we may feel as though we are being tested, but the truth is that these moments are opportunities for us to come closer to our deepest selves, to our purpose, and to our source of strength. Hashem is with us in those moments, encouraging us, guiding us, and holding us through every challenge. Our “Egypt” is any situation, mindset, or pattern that keeps you enslaved. It might be toxic relationships, self-defeating thoughts, or destructive habits. The first crucial step is acknowledging these thoughts. Just as the Israelites had to first recognize their enslavement before seeking freedom, we would be wise to become aware of our thoughts that hold us back.
The lesson of parsha Bo is not about avoiding fear but about embracing it as part of the journey. It’s about moving forward, even when the way is unclear, and trusting that the challenges we face are opportunities for transformation. No one crosses the desert alone. Moses had Aaron, and we benefit from finding our own support system. This may involve, finding our “Aaron” – a therapist, mentor, or guide who can help navigate the wilderness…building a community of fellow travelers who understand our journey…developing healthy attachments to replace dysfunctional ones…and learning to trust others while maintaining healthy boundaries.
So, when you find yourself facing fear, remember: You are not alone. You are being called to move forward, to come closer to the essence of who you are and to the strength that resides within you. Adonai li, v’lo ira: “The L-rd is with me, I will not fear.” It is in those moments of greatest fear that we discover our courage, and it is in the hardest times that we can find the deepest connection to our purpose.
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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.