Parashat Bo “Enter!”

Exodus 10:1-13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-28; Romans 9:22-29

TORAH

This week’s portion picks up with G-d sending Moses to Pharaoh that He might help the people understand a few things in His plan. First, “For I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them.” Second, “that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians, and how I performed my signs among them.” However the reason for showing this to the people of Israel is the same as it was last week, “that you may know that I am the L-rd.”

What the hail did not destroy, the plague of locusts devoured. Despite Pharaoh’s plea for forgiveness, once the locusts were removed, G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart and he again would not let the people go.

Three days of darkness was the next plague. However, G-d made a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Israel had light while Egypt dwelt in darkness. The last plague, the death of the firstborn sets the stage for so many things not only about the Exodus but also about the Messiah.

Passover was a defining moment. So much so, that it reset all their calendars so that this month, the month of Abib (later called Nisan), was to be the first in their year. The yearly observed Passover is called “the passover of the L-rd” and is an eternal ordinance observed for all generations. It is to be a memorial service when the people enter the Land. On the night when the L-rd “passed over“ the homes of any person with blood on the doorposts and lintel, the firstborn of any woman or animal in that home was redeemed. Therefore, the firstborn of every womb is dedicated to the L-rd and also must be redeemed, or bought back. For the people, the firstborn son shall be redeemed with a lamb.

HAFTARAH

The Rabbis chose this passage because of its thematic statements about the punishment of Egypt and the redemption of Israel from their captivity. Jeremiah prophesies the coming of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to take the people of Egypt into captivity. They are given over to the people of the north. The people of G-d have nothing to fear for G-d says, “I am going to save you from afar, and your descendents from the land of their captivity.

NEW COVENANT

I have chosen this reading in part because I want us to reflect on verses 22-24. Paul is trying to help the people of Rome understand the wonder and magnitude of the mercy of G-d which they, like us, have received. They had believed in Yeshua. They were redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and were called “vessels of mercy.” Or as the NIV says it, we are “objects of his mercy, whom He prepared in advance for glory.”

The Congregation in Rome was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. In the midst of a discussion regarding the place and role of Jews in the body of Messiah, Paul carefully makes faith the defining factor. He uses three quotations from the prophets to outline his argument. First, Hosea lays the foundation that Gentiles too will be called “My people...Beloved...sons of the living G-d.“ Paul then uses two quotations from Isaiah to help us see that it is a remnant of Israel that will be saved.

APPLICATION

Just as any Jew or Gentile who had blood on the doorposts and lintel would not suffer the death of their firstborn son, so too the opportunity to have a personal relationship with G-d through the blood of the eternal sacrifice is available to anyone who would believe in Yeshua. In both cases, faith is required. “By faith he [Moses] kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.“ (Heb. 11:28)

Keep these things in mind as in the coming months we will be celebrating the Passover of the L-rd and rejoicing in our Redeemer!

LAND WITHOUT G-D!

Upon their initial conquest of Israel, blessings and curses were pronounced upon two opposing mountain tops. Moses taught the Jews that a path devoid of Torah results in a poor life, exemplified by Mt. Ayval's barren state. If however one chooses a Torah lifestyle, it results in all forms of success and happiness, as in Mt. Grizim's lush quality.

Two goats are to be offered in the Temple each Yom Kippur. A Rabbi once explained that these goats represent two opposing lifestyles: one can follow a life dedicated to God, as one goat was sacrificed to His name. Or one can follow a life devoid of God, destined to failure and fatality, displayed by the scapegoat being lead to its certain death over the sharp cliffs of Azazel.

Observant Jews view Israel as the land given to us by God – a haven secure for following His laws. To the observant Jew, God is essential to our land's objective. The non-observant Jew sees Israel purely as nationalistic, similar to any people's land. God is not essential, as all decisions concerning the state is decided politically. Both positions concerning Israel cannot be correct. Just as Moses taught in the example of two mountains, and as the Torah teaches via the two goats, now is the time to teach our people what path to select and why. The "why" is what is missing. In all areas of life, observant or not, we act as rationally as possible, making decisions based on reason and proof. This is why a person carefully chooses the right school, the best doctor and what business decisions to make.

Unfortunately, people are not so rational when it comes to selecting an ideology. Observant Jews follow Torah either by understanding the proofs of God's existence, or without proofs. But most non-observant Jews have arrived at their conclusions with no rational analysis. Each Jew owes it to him and herself to determine whether or not God exists, and whether He gave us Israel and the Torah. If we prove that God does exist, and that He gave us the Torah...then we know He gave us Israel. We can now determine how to live, what to do to keep our land, and how to deal with our enemies.

Mordechai and Esther did not succumb; they followed the Torah even in the face of great danger. On Purim, God saved Mordechai, Esther, and the entire Jewish nation because they followed God's Torah ideals. We must do the same. Would God save us if we were to return to a life where we ignore Hs commands? Or will we secure a better future for Israel if we follow God? Those of you who have learned the proofs of God's existence and understand the perfection of a Torah lifestyle might begin sharing your knowledge. Give another Jew the opportunity to explore the tenets of Judaism. We are responsible for one another. If you are non-observant, ask yourself one question: "Am I following what is true or what is false? Does God exist or not?" If this question does not matter to you, there's nothing more to be said. If however, you honestly seek answers to these questions, read on.

The contradiction any non-observant, Zionistic Jew must face is this: "Why do I desire Israel as my land?" What makes us a nation? Our history is accurate: we received the land and our nationhood from God who communicated with Abraham. This same God gave us the Torah for our own benefit. To believe we have rights to Israel with no obligation to follow the Torah, simply denies the facts. Just as we make decisions in other area using reason and objective criteria, let us decide rationally regarding Torah observance. What does history teach? Do you accept the story of God's promise of Israel to Abraham? If so, God continued talking to Abraham after that promise, and God secured his well-being, and that of all Israel...provided Torah was observed. The Torah suggests a lifestyle that is most enjoyable and beneficial to man...a lifestyle that Moses, King Solomon and countless other intelligent leaders chose for themselves. They transmitted to many others the knowledge they understood would benefit future generations. Our great leaders felt proof was available. They felt their arguments to follow Torah would be warmly welcomed by the nation.

So, let us simply consider for a moment "why" so many intelligent leaders followed Torah Judaism. Do not feel you must agree, just give yourself a chance to discover why Moses, Maimonides, Rabbi Akiva or Rashi taught Torah Judaism. They must have felt it makes sense, and can be proved. They were intelligent individuals. So take a little time and finally seek out Moses' reasoning for being observant. Perhaps he knows something we have not yet considered. If you value Israel, but you are not observant, would you welcome proof concerning the Torah's truth? You have but one life. You owe it to yourself to finally prove it. If one believes in God and desires the land He promised, exclusively through Torah, it appears contradictory to ignore His commands.