Parsha Q&A - Parshas Bo

Parshas Bo

For the week ending 6 Shevat 5759 / 22 & 23 January 1999

Contents:

Parsha Questions

Sherlox Holmes

I Did Not Know That!

Parsha Questions

Answers | Contents

What was Pharaoh's excuse for not releasing the Jewish children?
How did the locusts in the time of Moshe differ from those in the days of Yoel?
How did the first three days of darkness differ from the last three?
When the Jews asked the Egyptians for gold and silver vessels, the Egyptians were unable to deny ownership of such vessels. Why?
Makas bechoros took place exactly at midnight. Why did Moshe say it would take place approximately at midnight?
Why did the firstborn of the animals die?
How did Moshe show respect to Pharaoh when he warned him about the aftermath of the plague of the firstborn?
Hashem told Moshe "so that my wonders will be multiplied" (11:9). What three wonders was Hashem referring to?
Why did Hashem command the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh to Aharon, and not only to Moshe?
Up to what age is an animal fit to be a Pesach offering?
Prior to the Exodus from Egypt, what two mitzvos involving blood did Hashem give to the Jewish People?
Which parts of the Pesach offering (as distinguished from other offerings) were the Jewish People forbidden to eat?
Why were the Jews told to stay indoors during makas bechoros?
What was Pharaoh screaming as he ran from door to door the night of makas bechoros?
Why did Pharaoh ask Moshe to bless him?
Why did the Jewish People carry their matzah on their shoulders rather than have their animals carry it?
Who comprised the erev rav (mixed multitude)?
What three historical events occurred on the 15th of Nissan, prior to the event of the Exodus from Egypt?
What is the source of the "milk and honey" found in Eretz Yisrael?
The only non-kosher animal whose firstborn is redeemed is the donkey. What did the donkeys do to "earn" this distinction?

Solution
Contents

Sherlox Holmes

"The new butler from the Shirewood estate disappeared along with thousands in cash and jewels," said Watstein.

"Well," said world famous detextive Sherlox Holmes, "I imagine we'll find him in Grampa Hastings' apartment."

"Grampa Hastings? The sickly man who took an apartment in Shirewood last year, who lies in bed all day with his curtains drawn?"

"Ever had a close look at him?"

"His doting spinster sister never lets anyone too near."

"Curious how his room is always so dimly lit, isn't it?" said Sherlox.

"Are you suggesting that he and the missing butler are ... "

"One and the same. It's remarkable what dim light can reveal."

"Speaking of dim light," said Watstein, "Can you explain this text: 'There was pitch darkness in all the Land of Egypt for three days; A person couldn't see his brother, and a person couldn't stand from his place for three days...' " (Shemos 10:22-3).

"For the first three days the Egyptians couldn't see, and for the next three days they couldn't even move. Miraculous, but is it harder to understand than the other plagues?" asked Sherlox.

"My question exactly!" said Watstein. "Why, then, does Rashi comment? Rashi says: Why did G-d bring darkness on the Egyptians? Because among the Jews there were some wicked ones; they died during the three days of darkness so the Egyptians wouldn't see their downfall. Also so that the Jews could search for the Egyptians' precious vessels."

"Good reasons for darkness" said Sherlox.

"But Rashi doesn't spell out the reason for the other plagues. Why does he need to explain the reason for this plague?"

"It's remarkable what dim light can reveal," said Sherlox.

I Did Not Know That!

"At approximately midnight I go out amidst Egypt, and every first born will die..." (11:14)

Hashem's 'clock' is set to Jerusalem. The plague of the first-born took place at exactly midnight, Jerusalem time. But because Egypt is west of Jerusalem, midnight there occurs later. When Moshe said the plague would be at 'approximately midnight,' he was referring to local, Egyptian time.

(Kehillas Yitzchak; thanks to Rabbi Sholem Fishbane)

Answers to this Week's Questions

Questions | Contents

All references are to the verses and Rashi's commentary, unless otherwise stated

What was Pharaoh's excuse for not releasing the Jewish children?
10:11 - Since children don't bring sacrifices there was no need for them to go.
How did the locusts in the time of Moshe differ from those in the days of Yoel?
10:14 - The plague brought by Moshe was composed of one species of locust, whereas the plague in the days of Yoel was composed of many species.
How did the first three days of darkness differ from the last three?
10:22 - During the first three days the Egyptians couldn't see. During the last three days they couldn't move.
When the Jews asked the Egyptians for gold and silver vessels, the Egyptians were unable to deny ownership of such vessels. Why?
10:22 - During the plague of darkness the Jews could see and they searched and found the Egyptians' vessels.
Makas bechoros took place exactly at midnight. Why did Moshe say it would take place approximately at midnight?
11:4 - If Moshe said the plague would begin exactly at midnight, the Egyptians might miscalculate and accuse Moshe of being a fake.
Why did the firstborn of the animals die?
11:5 - Because the Egyptians worshipped them as gods, and when Hashem punishes a nation He also punishes its gods.
How did Moshe show respect to Pharaoh when he warned him about the aftermath of the plague of the firstborn?
11:8 - Moshe warned that "All these servants of yours will come down to me" when, in fact, it was Pharaoh himself who actually came running to Moshe.
Hashem told Moshe "so that my wonders will be multiplied" (11:9). What three wonders was Hashem referring to?
11:9 - The plague of the firstborn, the splitting of the sea, the drowning of the Egyptian soldiers.
Why did Hashem command the mitzvah of Rosh Chodesh to Aharon, and not only to Moshe?
12:1 - As reward for his efforts in bringing about the plagues.
Up to what age is an animal fit to be a Pesach offering?
12:5 - One year.
Prior to the Exodus from Egypt, what two mitzvos involving blood did Hashem give to the Jewish People?
12:6 - Circumcision and Korban Pesach.
Which parts of the Pesach offering (as distinguished from other offerings) were the Jewish People forbidden to eat?
12:8 - The bones and the sinews.
Why were the Jews told to stay indoors during makas bechoros?
12:22 - Since it was a night of destruction, it was not safe for anyone to leave the protected premises of their homes.
What was Pharaoh screaming as he ran from door to door the night of makas bechoros?
12:31 - "Where does Moshe live? Where does Aharon live?"
Why did Pharaoh ask Moshe to bless him?
12:32 - So he wouldn't die, for he himself was a firstborn.
Why did the Jewish People carry their matzah on their shoulders rather than have their animals carry it?
12:34 - Because the commandment of matzah was dear to them.
Who comprised the erev rav (mixed multitude)?
12:38 - People from other nations who became converts.
What three historical events occurred on the 15th of Nissan, prior to the event of the Exodus from Egypt?
12:41 - The angels came to promise that Sarah would have a son, Yitzchak was born, and the exile of the "covenant between the parts" was decreed.
What is the source of the "milk and honey" found in Eretz Yisrael?
13:5 - Goat milk, date and fig honey.
The only non-kosher animal whose firstborn is redeemed is the donkey. What did the donkeys do to "earn" this distinction?
13:13 - They helped the Jews by carrying silver and gold out of Egypt.

Mystery
Contents

Solution to Sherlox Holmes

"Rashi isn't explaining the reason for the darkness," said Sherlox.

"He's not?" asked Watstein.

"No. He's explaining why the darkness changed intensity in the middle of its duration."

"Yes, the darkness was unique in that sense. The first three days were of less intensity - 'for three days a person couldn't see his brother' - and the last three days were of greater intensity - 'and a person couldn't stand from his place for three days.' We don't find this phenomenon regarding any other plague; no other plague changed intensity in the middle of its duration."

"Rather odd," said Sherlox.

"Indeed," said Watstein. "Therefore, Rashi explains the reason for the different levels of darkness: The first three days hid the demise of the recalcitrant Jews, while the latter, thick darkness allowed the Jews to search the Egyptian households free from any resistance, even from the slightest groping of the owners, who couldn't even move."

"Brilliant, dear Watstein."

(Based on Maskil L'David; Sherlox" is by Reuven Subar,
inspired by Dr. Avigdor Bonchek's "What's Bothering Rashi")

Written and Compiled by Rabbi Eliyahu Kane & Rabbi Reuven Subar
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
Production Design: Eli Ballon
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Parshas Bo

Parsha Questions

Sherlox Holmes

I Did Not Know That!

Recommended Reading List

Answers to this Week's Questions

Solution to Sherlox Holmes