Parsha Talk Bo 5785 2025

Kol Ramah

Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1-13:16] is jam-packed with interesting passages. The eighth and ninth plagues take place as well as the announcement of the tenth and final plague [ch. 10-11]. This is followed by the long chapter 12 [51 verses] which we will meet again on Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the shabbat before or coinciding with Rosh Hodesh Nisan [this year on March 29, 2025] when we will read the first twenty verses, and the first day of Pesah [April 13, 2025], when we will read the remainder of chapter 12. Nahum Sarna labels chapter 12 “The Last Act”, and the verses in chapter 13 [1-16] “Commemorative Rituals”, which includes two of the four passages found in tefillin [Exodus 13:1-10 and 11-16]. The time frame and the action described in chapter 12 is somewhat confusing so we devoted most of our conversation to unpacking what we think happened. We spend sometime also discussing the vigil [leil shimurim]] mentioned in 12:42. While we are grateful for the release of the hostages last week, we remain mindful of all those, both the dead and the living, who remain in captivity in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. May those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom