Shabbat Bo 5782
The confrontation between Pharaoh and God (through Moshe and Aharon) continues this week. It becomes even more contentious when Pharaoh boots them out of the palace. But there’s still one more plague to announce: makkat bekhorot, the slaying of the firstborn. Israel won’t be safe from this carnage unless they follow the instructions, as they are told to dab the doorposts and lintels of their homes with sacrificial blood. It is at this point that the People of Israel become an obligated entity. Korban Pesah, the Paschal Sacrifice, is the first communal command. And though Pharaoh summons Moshe in the middle of the night and demands that the Israelites leave immediately, Moshe insists that they will not slink away under cover of darkness. Rather, they will depart in prime daylight hours, in full view of all of Egypt.
My goal in offering the weekly musical scavenger hunt is to entice people to read the Torah portion carefully, as well as to have some fun with music. Even if you don’t care for the video clips, it’s worthwhile to read the parshah anyway! For those who want to play along, why did I think of these songs?
Answers will be revealed after Shabbat ma’ariv and havdalah, which begins this week at 5:15 PM. Remember that through the end of January, we are having minhah at 12:25 PM, after morning services and kiddush.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom and happy listening,
Rabbi David Wise
Candle lighting: 4:25 PM
Torah Reading: Exodus 10:1-13:16
Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28
