Parashat Bo: The Power of Thoughts and Actions

By Rebbetzin Chavi Golovenshitz

Dedicated in loving memory of my dear husband, Rav Shlomo ben Reb Yitzchak

Good Friday evening—may we only share good news!

We begin with the moving words of Agam Berke, recently freed from captivity:"B'Derech Emunah Ba'arti, U'V'Derech Emunah Shafty" — "I came with a way of faith, and I have returned with the strength of my faith."

Her strength in darkness inspires us to strengthen our emunah (faith) in freedom. This is the heart of this week's Parasha, which I send with love.

Darkness and Deliverance: The Final Plagues

Parashat Bo opens with the final three makot (plagues):

• Arbeh (locusts)

• Choshech (darkness)

• Makat Bechorot (death of the firstborn)

Each plague connects to choshech (darkness)—not only physical, but spiritual:

• When we cannot see or feel for others, we descend into disconnection and darkness.

• Egypt’s darkest hour was the Jewish people's light of redemption.

The Acts of Commitment: Pesach and Brit Milah

To merit the miracle of geula (redemption), Hashem asked for action from Bnei Yisrael:

Two Acts of Courage:

1. Korban Pesach — Slaughtering the Egyptian idol (sheep), a public display of loyalty to Hashem.

2. Brit Milah — A personal act of spiritual bravery after years without circumcision.

Both damim (bloods)—from Korban Pesach and Brit Milah—were placed on doorposts. This is why the verse says: "Va’Erech mitboshes ba’damaich"—in your bloods (plural).

My father's teaching:

• Korban Pesach was communal—strengthened by others.

• Brit Milah demanded individual commitment—Hashem wanted each person to choose action.

"Ha’dam haya lachem l’ot" — "This blood will be a sign for you": Our actions—not only thoughts—bring salvation.

The Urgency of Mitzvot: "U'Shmartem Et HaMatzot"

Another striking lesson:"U'Shmartem Et HaMatzot" — "Safeguard the matzot."

Chazal teach:Do not read matzot, but mitzvot!

• Just as matzah must be baked quickly (within 18 minutes), so too, mitzvot must be done without delay.

Life Application:

• Don’t say, “I’ll give tzedakah later.”

• Don’t delay a kind act or a tefillah.

• Act now—with alacrity and joy!

Pesach’s message:Freedom from Mitzrayim (from meitzar—narrow limitations) demands swift action. When the moment for geula arrives, seize it!

Even the Korban Pesach was grilled—why? Speed! Bnei Yisrael ate it dressed and ready to depart.

Learning from Our Patriarchs: The Virtue of Speed

Who modeled this urgency?Avraham Avinu:

• Ran to greet the three visitors after his brit milah.

• Rose early to fulfill the Akeidah.

• Rushed to free Lot in battle.

Yosef HaTzaddik:

• Fled temptation with Potiphar’s wife—he ran!

• Because Yosef “ran,” the sea later split for his descendants.

Chazal teach:

• The root of ratz (to run) is ratzon (will).

• What you truly desire—you pursue with energy.

Our yetzer hara pulls us down. The yetzer hatov uplifts us—urging us to act swiftly in spiritual matters.

Controlling Emotions and Guiding Thoughts: The Tefillin Lesson

Final message from the Parasha:"Vehayah le’ot al yadecha... ul’totafot bein einecha."

• Place a sign on your arm and between your eyes—remember Hashem’s strength in redeeming us from Mitzrayim.

Tefillin teaches:

• The binding on the arm represents controlling emotions and channeling strength.

• The tefillin on the forehead reminds us to guide our thoughts towards Hashem.

Even though tefillin is not a daily mitzvah for women, its lesson speaks to us:

• Our hands—symbolizing action—should serve Hashem.

• Our minds—directed with clarity—should reflect His will.

In Closing

Parashat Bo reminds us:

• Faith and action go hand in hand.

• Speed and decisiveness in mitzvot bring freedom.

• Guiding our hearts and minds elevates our lives.

May we be inspired to act with joy, courage, and readiness in all our avodat Hashem.