Pass-Over

Parashat Bo
Exodus 10:1-13:16

Synopsis

Moses and Aaron rebuke Pharaoh for refusing to allow the Israelites to go and worship God.  Although Pharaoh's courtiers plead with him to obey God in order to save Egypt, the Pharaoh ignores their advice, and locusts, the eighth plague, come to destroy those parts of Egypt left unharmed by the hail.  The plague is lifted when Pharaoh pleads with Moses and Aaron, but God once again hardens Pharaoh's heart and the Israelites are not free.  Then the plague of darkness falls without warning - only the Israelites have light where they live.

God tells Moses that the next plague will be the last and Moses warns Pharaoh that God will triumph with the slaying of all the firstborn of Egypt.

Prior to the occurrence of the tenth plague, Moses and Aaron instruct the Israelites in the laws of Passover.  On the tenth day of the first month, the people are to slaughter a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts, and eat its roasted flesh hurriedly in remembrance of the tenth plague and their hasty Exodus from Egypt.  In the future, this festival is to be a time of remembrance for the Israelites.  For seven days, they are to eat only unleavened bread.  Further, the people are commanded to explain these observances to their children so that the festival will be a reminder to all generations that God freed the Israelites from Egypt.

The Israelites apply lamb's blood to their doorposts as they were instructed by Moses.  In the middle of the night, all the firstborn in the land of Egypt are struck down.  The Pharaoh summons Moses and Aaron and bids them to depart with the Israelites.  Because of their haste in leaving Egypt, the people take their dough with them before it is risen.  They also take spoils from the Egyptians.  The portion concludes with the note that the Israelites had lived in Egypt for 430 years and at the time of the Exodus, some 600,00 departed from Egypt plus children, livestock, and a mixed multitude of others.

Table Talk Questions:

1. As the plagues grew worse, it seems hard to understand why Pharaoh doesn't given in.  Have you ever had an argument with a friend or sibling and, even though you wanted to make up, you found it very difficult?  What do you think causes someone to be stubborn, even when it seems they shouldn't be?
2. What do you think it would have been like to live through these plagues? 
3. It must have been a challenge for the Israelites to leave so quickly.  What would you prioritize taking with you if you were an Israelite leaving Egypt in a rush? 

And now for this week's Torah cartoon: