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BO “Enter or Go”
28 JAN 2012
Exodus 10:1-13:6
Jeremiah 44:13-28
1Cor. 11:20-34

In this week’s Parasha we look at the last three of the ten plagues. Moshe’s mission to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go will soon be over. The freedom of GOD’s people is at hand. These last three plagues, and the commandment to celebrate the New Moon (the basis for the festival cycle and the Jewish calendar), the commandments regarding the Passover and the sanctification of the first-born are discussed in this portion. Also stated is how the Israelites were given gold, silver and the other wealth of Egypt.

The Passover is described in Exodus 12:3-11.  Moshe is given instructions on how to conduct the Seder, what to prepare and how to prepare everything necessary.  A lamb for each household will be slaughtered.  The blood will be put on the Mezuzot, the two side posts of the door.  Blood must be put on the lintel, the top of the door.  As the Angel of Death passes over all of Egypt, those who are inside their homes with the blood upon their doors in the exact way that Moshe was instructed will be safe. The Seder celebration is based on biblical instruction.  It is rich with thoughtful parables, ancient stories, praises unto GOD and a hope for the future; the Messianic redemption.

One parable is the Parable of the Four Sons.  One is wise, one is wicked, one is simple and one does not even know how to ask a question.  The wise son seeks the things of GOD with all his heart, soul and mind.  The wicked son excludes himself from the household by rejecting everything that is of GOD.  The simple son asks, “What is this?”  He does not reject GOD’s redemption, but he is not a seeker of truth.  He always waits to be told the answers and what to do about them.  The last son does not have the capacity to inquire.  He requires someone to introduce GOD’s word and plan of redemption to him.  All of humanity falls into one of these categories.  The question for us is: Which category do you fall into and what are you going to do with that knowledge?

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z.

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