Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Bo Shishi: The plague of Makas Bechoros (Friday, 5th Shevat)

Shishi

1. The plague of Makas Bechoros:

• At midnight Hashem smote every first born in the land of Egypt to death, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who is the prince until the firstborn of the imprisoned captive, as well as all firstborn animals.
• Pharaoh asks Bnei Yisrael to leave Egypt: Pharaoh and all his servants arose that night, as there was a great cry in Egypt. There was no house without a corpse. Pharaoh summoned Moshe and Aaron that night and told them to rise and leave his people. Everyone shall leave and go serve your G-d as you requested.  Take your flock and cattle as you asked, and leave, but bless me as well [that I not die].

2. Bnei Yisrael leave Egypt:

• The dough did not have time to rise: The Egyptian nation urged the Jewish people to leave right away, as they said that they were all dying. The nation took its dough prior to it being able to rise and placed it on a sack on their shoulders. They later baked it, after leaving Egypt, into Matzos and not Chametz, as they were driven out of Egypt in a hurry. They did not bring with them other food.
• Egypt is emptied of its wealth: The Jewish people did as Moshe told them, and asked their neighbors for silver and gold vessels, as well as garments. Hashem granted the nation favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they lent them the above. So it was that the Jewish people emptied Egypt [of money].
• The first journey: The Jewish people traveled from Ramseis to Sukkot.
• Who left: They were 600,000 men, aside for the children. They went with a great multitude [of Egyptian converts]. They left with a very heavy amount of flock and cattle.
• Amount of years in Egypt: The Jewish people dwelled in Egypt [and their previous areas of foreign land] for 430 years, and at the end of 430 years, on the essence of this day all the legions of Hashem left Egypt.
• Leil Shimurim: This night is a night of guarding for all the Jewish people for all generations.

3. Laws of the Karban Pesach:

• The following are the laws of the Pesach sacrifice: No gentile may eat it. A slave must be circumcised prior to eating it. It shall be eaten in one’s home. One may not remove its meat from the home, and one may not break any of its bones. A convert must be circumcised prior to eating from it. Anyone who is not circumcised may not eat from it.

Q1: Why does the verse say “וַה׳” (And God) when striking the firstborn (12:29)?

A: Wherever it says “וַה׳,” it refers to God and His heavenly court, because the prefix “ו” indicates addition.

Q2: Did only Egyptian firstborns die?

A: No. Even firstborns of other nations who were in Egypt died.

Q3: Why was Pharaoh spared although he was a firstborn?

A: So that God could show His power later at the Sea of Reeds, as it says: “Nevertheless, I have spared you for this purpose.”

Q4: Why were the firstborn of prisoners killed?

A: Because they rejoiced at Israel’s suffering and so they wouldn’t claim their gods caused the plague.

Q5: What does “no house without someone dead” mean (12:30)?

A:

• If there was a firstborn, he died.
• If not, the head of the household died (also called “בכור” in Scripture).
• Another explanation: Egyptian women were unfaithful, so many homes had multiple firstborns from different fathers.

Q6: Why did Pharaoh call Moses and Aaron at night (12:31)?

A: He personally went through the city crying out: “Where is Moses? Where is Aaron?”—showing urgency and fear.

Q7: What does Pharaoh mean by “as you said” (12:31)?

A: He admitted defeat: everything will be as Moses said, not as Pharaoh had previously demanded.

Q8: Why did Pharaoh ask for a blessing (12:32)?

A: Because he was a firstborn and feared dying in the plague.

Q9: Why did the Egyptians hurry Israel out (12:33)?

A: They said: “We are all dying!”—even non-firstborns were dying, worse than Moses’ warning.

Q10: Why did Israel carry leftover matzah and maror on their shoulders (12:34)?

A: They cherished the mitzvah items, even though they had animals to carry loads.

Q11: Why was clothing more valuable than gold and silver (12:35)?

A: Because the verse lists clothing last, indicating greater importance.

Q12: How far was Rameses to Sukkot (12:37)?

A: 120 mil, but they traveled quickly—“I carried you on the wings of griffon vultures.”

Q13: Who were the “mixed multitude” (12:38)?

A: Converts from other nations who joined Israel.

Q14: Why does the Torah praise Israel for not preparing provisions (12:39)?

A: They trusted God and left without asking: “How will we survive?”—as the prophet says: “I remember the loving-kindness of your youth…”

Q15: How do we understand the 430 years (12:40)?

A: It counts from the time of the Covenant “between the Pieces” until the Exodus:

• 30 years until Isaac’s birth
• 400 years from Isaac’s birth
• Total: 430 years. Israel was in Egypt only 210 years.

Q16: What is “לֵיל שִׁמֻּרִים” (12:42)?

A: A night God was “watching for” to fulfill His promise. It remains a night of protection for Israel throughout generations.

Q17: Who is excluded from eating the Korban Pesach (12:43–45)?

A:

• A stranger (non-Jew or apostate Jew)
• A resident alien or hired laborer—even if circumcised.

Q18: Why must the Pesach be eaten in one group (12:46)?

A: To prevent splitting into two groups. However, they may move indoors if it rains, as proven from another verse.

Q19: Why is breaking bones prohibited?

A: Only bones with a kezayit of meat are included in the prohibition.

Q20: What law applies to converts (12:48–49)?

A: They must circumcise all males in their household before eating the Pesach. They are equal to natives in all laws.