Devar/5770/Bo
From RonWareWiki
< Devar | 5770
עברית
English
And thus shall ye eat it: with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste--it is the LORD'S passover. (Ex 12:11)
The first Passover in Egypt was unique. There is no ongoing commandment to perform the Seder meal "with your loins girded", etc. Rather, for the first Passover alone were the Children of Israel commanded to stand at a high state of readiness. And this, despite God saying that "around midnight" He would go into Egypt -- that is, the time they would leave Egypt was known already.
And further, the Torah says that after the destruction: And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt, for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual (ibid 39). How could this have come as a surprise to them? Why were they not ready to leave, suitcases ready and food prepared?
Concerning the first verse, one may say that God wants to hint to them that salvation can arrive in the blink of an eye. One moment "we were slaves", and a moment later "and now freemen". And there is only an instant separating the two. Concerning the second verse, one might say that the Children of Israel still did not believe God's promise, may He be blessed. They had been immersed in the sufferings of Egypt so long that despite the signs and wonders, they were incapable of understanding they would soon be freemen. It was simply not part of their reality. However, His thoughts are not ours. He redeemed them with a strong arm, and in one instant they went from being Pharaoh's slaves to being His servants.
And we who are embroiled in our disputations and wars -- we need to know and to understand that we too shall be redeemed. The smallest shall become a thousand, and the least a mighty nation; I the LORD will hasten it in its time. (Isa 60:22). Regarding this our Sages of blessed memory stated: if they are worthy, then "hasten"; and if not, then "in its time" (Bavli Sanhedrin 98a). May it be His will that we merit His salvation now!
| Top: Devar | Prev: Va'era | Next: Beshalach |