January 11, 2008

Parshat Hashavua: Bo Exodus 10:1-13:16

In quick order our Torah reading opens with plagues 8 and 9: locusts and darkness. Following plague 8, Pharaoh's courtiers urge him to have a change of heart. Pharaoh nearly releases the Israelites asking Moses who he will take with him. "We will all go, young and old: we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds, for we must observe the Lord's festival," Moses retorts. Pharaoh suspecting mischief, rescinds his permission.

God summons Moses to announce the tenth plague. God tells Moses to have the people get ready. They are to take a lamb for each household on the 10th of this first month, slaughter it on the 14th and put the blood on the doorposts and lintel of their homes where they will eat the lamb. They must roast it and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. They should eat it prepared for a journey. God informs Moses that this event will be cause for a seven-day annual celebration.

Moses then summoned all of the elders and transmitted God instructions to them, telling them that the lamb will become the Passover sacrifice, because God will pass over the houses of the Israelites when he smites the Egyptians. In the middle of the night God struck down all of the first born in Egypt. Pharaoh arose and there was a loud cry throughout Egypt. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to depart from Egypt to worship their God. The people took from the Egyptians objects of silver and gold and clothing. They journeyed from Rameses to Sukkot and they baked unleavened cakes with the dough they had taken. The Torah claims the Israelites were in Egypt 430 years.

Shabbat Shalom
Candle lighting: Friday, January 11, 2008 4:30pm