Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Bo Shevi’i: The plague of Makas Bechoros (Shabbos, 6th Shevat)

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Shevi’i

  1. Sanctifying the first born:
  • Hashem spoke to Moshe asking him to command the Jewish people: Every male firstborn of the womb of a person or animal is to be sanctified to me. The firstborn male is to be redeemed.
  • Firstborn donkey: Every firstborn donkey is to be redeemed with a lamb or kid, and if not then one is to break its neck.
  • If your children ask what this [Mitzvah] is [about], then you shall tell him that Hashem took us out from slavery with a strong hand, and he killed the Egyptian firstborns, and therefore I sacrifice to G-d my firstborn male animals, and redeem my firstborn sons.

 

  1. Moshe instructs the Jewish people the Pesach laws and commands:
  • Chametz and Matzah: Moshe spoke to the Jewish people telling them of Hashem’s commands not to eat Chametz during the seven days of Pesach and to celebrate the seventh day. To eat Matzos during the seven days, and not to see Chametz in one’s possession.
  • Mitzvah of Vehegadeta LeBincha: You shall tell your children on this day that it is on account of this that Hashem took you out of Egypt.
  • Mitzvah of Tefillin: The above is to be made a sign on your hand and a remembrance between your eyes, in order so the Torah of Hashem remain on your mouths.

 

  1. Why does the Torah say “פֶּטֶר כָל־רֶחֶם” (the one that first opened the womb)?

Answer:
Rashi explains that the root פֶּטֶר means “opening.” It refers to the first issue of the womb, the one that opens it. He brings examples from other verses where the root means “to open,” like “one who makes an opening for water to gush forth.”

 

  1. Why does God say “לִי הוּא” (It is Mine)?

Answer:
Rashi says God acquired the firstborn for Himself because He killed the Egyptian firstborn during the plague. Therefore, the Israelite firstborn belong to Him.

 

  1. Why does the Torah say “זָכוֹר אֶת־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה” (Remember this day)?

Answer:
Rashi teaches that the phrase “this day” means we must mention the Exodus every day, not only on Passover.

 

  1. Why mention “בְּחֹדֶשׁ הָאָבִיב” (in the month of ripening)? Didn’t they know the month?

Answer:
Rashi explains that this shows God’s kindness: He took them out in a pleasant season—not too hot, cold, or rainy—making the journey easier.

 

  1. Why does the Torah repeat the command about the Passover service?

Answer:
Rashi says the repetition introduces something new: the obligation to teach even a child who does not know how to ask, starting with stories and explanations to spark interest.

 

  1. What does “בַּעֲבוּר זֶה” (for the sake of this) mean?

Answer:
Rashi explains it means: “So that I fulfill God’s commandments, such as these before me—the Passover offering, matzah, and bitter herbs.”

 

  1. Why is tefillin mentioned here as a sign?

Answer:
Rashi says the passages about the Exodus must be written on scrolls and bound on the arm and head as tefillin, serving as a sign and reminder of redemption.

 

  1. What does “וּלְטוֹטָפֹת” mean?

Answer:
Rashi gives two explanations:

  • It refers to tefillin with four compartments (since “טָט” in Coptic means two and “פַּת” in Phrygian means two).
  • Menachem ben Saruk connects it to speech, meaning the tefillin remind us to speak about the Exodus.

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.