VOLUME 119 NUMBER 3
Shevat 5, 5786
January 23, 2026
Parshas Bo
Candlelighting Time 4:51
Moshe was the emissary of Hashem to approach Pharoah and demand that he release the nation from its bondage. However, when he speaks with him he adds how long will it be until you humble yourself in front of Hashem. That additional message seemingly has no connection to the mandate the he release the people.
The Brisker Rav explains that Moshe, conveying Hashem’s will, stated to Pharoah that after all the punishments that have been doled out to you and you still have the audacity to refuse! Why have you not humbled yourself realizing that Hashem is the true King and your massive empire is slowly but surely disintegrating. He cites Maimonides that the purpose of troubles that we encounter in life is to motivate us to think about what we have done that is the root of the problem. Therefore, one must seek to rectify his wrongdoings and furthermore he must daven to Hashem to save him from the difficulties that he brought upon himself. In contrast to Maimonides’ dictum that one must perceive what is occurring to him and grasp the situation, Pharoah seized the opportunity to continue to berate Moshe with strong obstinance and firm opposition to his demands.
Maimonides adds another feature to one’s disavowing the reason for his dire predicament. Upon declining to realize that Hashem is punishing him for his misdeeds, he asserts that these occurrences are simply nothing more than incidental, eliminating Hashem’s role in what is transpiring. And that in of itself is a reason to be further castigated and harangued by Hashem. And that was exactly the point that Moshe was articulating to Pharoah.
It is noteworthy that in his speech to Pharoah Moshe first states that he is ignoring Hashem’s providential involvement in what is taking place in Egypt. Then he adds that Pharoah must liberate the nation from his slavery. It would seem that firstly Moshe should have demanded the release of the nation and then added that Pharoah will be subject to even more castigation as he continues to object to their release and denies Hashem’s sovereignty.
Perhaps we may suggest that even though Hashem, through Moshe his emissary, clearly demanded the emancipation of the nation, however, the series of plagues that were devastating the empire were a clear indication of what was taking place. Once it was clear that Pharoah’s sorcerers could not replicate what Moshe and Ahron were doing, it should have been evident to Pharoah beyond a shadow of a doubt that Hashem was waging a successful battle against him and therefore his ongoing denial of the obvious was a tremendous display of audacity and renunciation that was not acceptable and therefore it was initially mentioned as the principal grievance against him.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Although Hashem will forgive one who transgresses the Torah in the most severe manner and serves idols, or murders or is licentious, the sin of not studying Torah is not excusable. Torah is our ammunition against the power of evil and if we compromise then we will lose. CHOFETZ CHAIM
GOOD SHABBOS
