Daily Chumash& Rashi – Parsha Bo Shelishi: Warning of Makas Bechoros (Tuesday, 2nd Shevat)

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Shelishi

  • Pharaoh summons Moshe: Pharaoh called Moshe and told him that the nation, including the children, could leave to serve G-d, on condition that they leave their cattle and flock in Egypt. Moshe replied “Also you will give us animals as sacrifices so we can offer them to Hashem. Our cattle will leave with us to serve Hashem, and we will not leave even one hoof in Egypt, as we do not know how we will need to serve Him until our arrival.” Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh and he did not agree to send them. Pharaoh said to Moshe “leave me, and you are warned not to ever step back here to see me lest you will be put to death.” Moshe replied, “You speak words of truth, I shall never come to see you again.”

 

  1. Hashem instructs Moshe of Makas Bechoros and the ensuing imminent exodus:
  • Hashem told Moshe that He will bring one last plague to Pharaoh and Egypt, and Pharaoh will then capitulate completely and let you go and even force you out of Egypt.
  • Leaving with wealth: Hashem told Moshe that he should speak to the Jewish people and inform them [of the imminent exodus and] that each person should request from their [Egyptian] neighbor gold and silver vessels.
  • Hashem granted the nation favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, and so too Moshe became very great in the eyes of Pharaoh and his servants.

Q&A on Rashi

Q1: What does “יֻצָּג” mean when Pharaoh says the flocks must remain (10:24)?

A: It means “will remain positioned in its place,” i.e., the livestock must stay behind in Egypt.

 

Q2: Why does Moses respond, “You will even provide us with animals” (10:25)?

A: Moses tells Pharaoh that not only will Israel take their own livestock, but Pharaoh will also give them animals for offerings.

 

Q3: What does “פַּרְסָה” mean in 10:26?

A: It means “the sole of the foot” (Old French: plante), referring to “not a hoof will remain.”

 

Q4: Why does Moses say, “We will not know with what we will serve God until we arrive” (10:26)?

A: Because they did not know how many sacrifices God would require; they needed all their animals.

 

Q5: What does Moses mean by “You have spoken rightly” (10:29)?

A: He agrees with Pharaoh’s statement that he will never see Pharaoh’s face again—this was true and timely.

 

Q6: What does “כָּלָה” mean in 11:1?

A: It means “completely,” as Onkelos translates: Pharaoh will drive Israel out entirely.

 

Q7: Why does God say “Please speak” (דַּבֶּר־נָא) in 11:2?

A: “נָא” is an expression of request. God asks Moses to tell Israel to borrow silver and gold so that Abraham will not say God fulfilled the prophecy of slavery but not of leaving with great wealth.

 

Q8: How was Moses regarded in Egypt at this point (11:3)?

A: Moses was highly esteemed by Pharaoh’s servants and the people, and God made the Egyptians favor Israel.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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