|
Some ideas to turn your gears heading into the parsha.
Believing in the Geulah – Even if we are Without Merit
Rashi quotes from Chazal that the makkah of choshech was aimed not only at the Mitzrim, but at those Jews who wished to remain in Mitzrayim as well. Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky asks why specifically these sinners of Israel are punished at this point – virtually none of Bnei Yisrael were tzaddikim then.
In Emes LYaakov, he suggests that it’s one thing to not be on board with the greater goal; it’s another thing entirely to hold others back along with you. There were good intentions involved: some felt that the prophesized 400 years of servitude had to be fulfilled before the proper time for geulah could arrive. They felt that if they left then, at the wrong moment, everything would collapse even further.
It was this fault that had to be corrected with the makkas choshech; the other sinners, explains R’ Kamenetsky, would have their teshuvah in declaring Naaseh VNishma at Har Sinai, revealing the true allegiance that was always just lying under the. It must have appeared, he suggests – as it continues to throughout our history – that the Jewish People were strangely struck with the wrath of Hashem (two million men fell in this plague). However, in reality, the geulah lay right around the corner.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Shiur – Kiddush Levana
Point out confluence of Parshas Bo, Daf Yomi this week (Sanhedrin 42) and, weather permitting, Kiddush Levana (for Ashkenazim) on motzash! Great week to give a Kiddush Levana shiur or dvar Torah!
See this comprehensive source sheet covering just about every part of Kiddush Levana – or check out R’ Josh Flug’s on Rabanan (account required). Let us know how the shiur goes!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Parparah
Eretz “Canaan”
Ever wonder why Eretz Yisrael is called Eretz Canaan, especially in a tefillin context (mentioned in our parsha)?
The simple explanation is that the Land was filled with the Canaanim, the most prominent of the Shiva Amim – but Rav Kook dives a bit deeper:
“The land of Israel has unique spiritual qualities; it possesses the highest foundation of holiness and the potential for the loftiest elevation in the world. However, at the same time, it also has the greatest capacity to transform good into bad and bad into good.
Therefore, the land is, in essence, the place of refinement and filtering … This is the fundamental principle of the wondrous choice of both the people and the land as a singular entity, an idea deeply embedded in the national historical development of Jewish life in the land and among the exiles, through the covenant and the oath.
Thus, it is said in this verse, 'And it shall be when the Lord your God brings you into the land.' The bringing in signifies that it is conditional—when He swore to you and your forefathers. It is not merely a natural inheritance, but rather a divine mission with intrinsic qualities. The essence of the land is deeply tied to the nation and its inner spirit, and its entire purpose is to elevate all that is within it to the highest realm of holiness."
The Land is called Canaan, says Rav Kook, to represent its elevation from a “place of Canaan” to “a place of Yisrael” – an elevation that is mirrored in our life missions, forever tied to Eretz Yisrael.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Read something that made you think? We’d love to read it, too – and then feature it! Drop us a line and let us know how we’re doing.
Did our chomer help you over Shabbos? Want to see more of less of an idea? Let us know!
| 
