I noticed the following in Parasha Bo. Firstly, the ETERNAL teaches us many laws. They are a double expression of importance, because on the one hand they are listed in great numbers in the Parasha; on the other hand, as laws and legal statutes, they underline the obligation for our lives and relationships with one another. Topics in Parasha Bo include the Seder evening and refer directly to Passover, the counting of the Omer, Shavuot and the right of first fruits.
The Parasha itself reports another encounter with Pharaoh after they, Moshe and Aharon, were brought back to his house.
Pharaoh declares harshly:
„Serve HIM, your God!“
He thereby shows that he is reluctant to make this statement and that „your God“ cannot mean the G-d of Israel.
Moshe speaks to Pharaoh as the answerer, although no question was asked…
„We will go with our young and our old, with our sons and our daughters, with our flock and our herds, – it is HIM who is our feast.“
Yes, Pharaoh is the prototype of the anti-Semite. He says that the LORD will be with the Israelites, i.e. Jews, the moment he lets them go. He presumes to equate himself with the G-d of Israel by equating his decision to release them with the LORD who is there for his people. Interestingly, the Torah says of the events: „So may the Lord be with you, as I have let you go with your children! See that your plan is evil!“
With Pharaoh, we are clearly dealing with a projective identification. The evil is split off from oneself and attached to the Jews. A phenomenon that extends to the present day.
The further plagues come immediately…
It goes on like this, for every sin of Pharaoh, the next plague comes. And in this process of being held accountable for his misdeeds, Pharaoh’s true attitude becomes ever clearer. Until in the end the locusts leave nothing in Mizrajim. Everything is a divine plan, because it says in Bo 10:20: „And the LORD strengthened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he did not let the children of Israel go.“
Then darkness follows over Mizrajim… a full three days. You have to In this context, we should remember that in Egypt the sun was worshipped as the deity Re. But there was light in all the dwellings of the children of Israel.
Again, Pharaoh says that all men can go, but not without the immediate restriction that this does not include sheep and cattle. Moshe answers him that sacrifices and burnt offerings must be offered to the Eternal. Therefore, he tells Him that the livestock must also come along. Pharaoh is beside himself and angry and does not want to let them go. Here, too, the G-d of Israel hardens Pharaoh’s heart and so he says to Moshe: „You have spoken rightly, I will never see your face again.“
This is the last sentence in chapter 10.
Then the ETERNAL explains to Moshe that he wants to bring another plague and that then Pharaoh will let the Israelites go. He says that they will be driven out. It is the death of all the firstborn of Mizrajim.
For details, I ask for intensive Torah study of the text, because it contains many more important statements… with regard to the liberation of Israel from Mizraim.
Words and Passion 