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Bo (Exodus 10:1 – 13:16)
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Meaning of the Torah portion name
The portion is named Bo, literally “come”, because it begins with God’s command to Moses to come before Pharaoh an additional time.
The portion begins with Moses and Aaron coming before Pharaoh, bringing him a message from God: Let my people go, or I will bring an additional plague upon Egypt – Locus. Pharaoh’s officials suggest letting Moses and his people go, because Egypt is ruined due to the plagues brought upon it. Pharaoh asks who will be going, and Moses answers that the entire population will go. Pharaoh agrees to send only the men. We then hear about the three remaining plagues of Egypt:
Before the last plague, the Israelites are commanded as to how they should prepare for the Exodus, and how they should prepare their houses for the plague in order to protect their firstborns. They are to place the blood of a lamb, which they will be sacrificing and eating, on the posts of their doors, as a sign. The sacrifice should be eaten in haste, with unleavened bread and while fully dressed for travel, because they will be leaving Egypt in haste. They are then also given the laws of the Festival of Pesach (Passover) for future generations.When the plague begins, there is a great outcry in Egypt. Pharaoh calls Moses and Aaron to him in the middle of the night and tells them to take all the Israelites and leave. And so, 430 years after arriving in Egypt, the Israelites leave.
| Locust: Swarms of locust come from the east and consume all the crops still remaining in Egypt. Pharaoh calls upon Moses and Aaron and begs them to stop the plague, promising to release the people. However, after Moses prays to God and the plague is removed, God hardens Pharaoh’s heart. | |
| Darkness: Three days of darkness come upon the Egyptians, while the Israelites have light in their dwellings. Pharaoh calls upon Moses and agrees to send all the Israelites, without their flocks. Moses explains that the flocks are necessary in order to sacrifice to God. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he refuses to send the people, and tells Moses never to come before him again. | |
| Death of the Firstborn Sons: God announces to Moses that he is going to bring one last plague upon Egypt. At midnight, all the firstborns in Egypt, from Pharaoh’s son to the last of the slaves, will be killed. |
The portion ends with a list of laws regarding the Passover festival.
List of dates
| 31 January 2009 | |
| 23 January 2010 | |
| 08 January 2011 |
Related phrases
portion, Bo, Egypt, Israel, Exodus, plague, Passover, Moses, Pharaoh