YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Bo
The Mechilta (Halachic Midrash) on Bo[1] says that the great haste in the Exodus encompassed all the factors involved – the Egyptians who rushed to expel the Jews, the Children of Israel who hastened to leave, and Hashem who hastened to deliver them: "Rabbi Yehoshua says: '…you shall eat it in haste' – this is the Israelites' haste…Or perhaps this verse refers to the haste of the Egyptians? The words '…for they were driven out of Egypt' refer to the Egyptians' haste! Abba Chanan, in the name of Rabbi Elazar, says: 'It is the haste of the Divine Presence! Although there is no absolute proof of this, we can find an allusion to it: 'The sound of my beloved! Behold he cometh, leaping over the mountains, skipping over the hills!' (Song of Songs, ch.2, 8)."
What is the significance of this haste? Why is it emphasized as a main feature of the Exodus from Egypt? Interestingly, we encounter this emphasis once again in a pasuk in D'varim (ch. 16, 3) – "…for seven days you shall eat with it matzot, the bread of affliction, for in haste you came forth out of the land of Egypt, so that you shall remember the day you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life." The Torah here chooses to focus on haste, in particular, as characterizing Passover and as a reason for the commandment to eat matza. The Maharal[2], and subsequently Rav Kook[3], wrote that the haste reveals a basic principle intrinsic to the salvation of Am Yisrael."'For seven days you shall eat with it matzot…for in haste you came forth out of the land of Egypt', for their departure in haste, in no time at all, demonstrates the elevated spiritual quality of the deliverance from Egypt. Natural events are subject to time, but Israel's redemption was above and beyond nature, and thus – was swift and outside the dimension of time."
Haste therefore expresses something that does not take place by means of a dilatory, gradual process which is typical of nature. Haste symbolizes the metaphysical. The Exodus from Egypt was a divine, supernatural process. That is the reason for Hashem's "leaping", passing over the houses of the Israelites, and the matzot being baked in haste. The Rambam (Maimonides)[4] explains that the laws of Korban Pesach – roasting the meat, the prohibition of breaking a bone – are meant to ensure haste. This haste teaches us that the Exodus is far too sublime to adhere to the laws of nature. It must be achieved by super-natural means.
The events of Exodus from Egypt and the parting of the Sea had a profound effect not only on Egypt, but on the whole world. The plagues affected all the forces of nature, and began the process of their perfection. The parting of the sea was a climactic divine revelation in nature, stemming from Hashem's intervention on behalf of His nation. There is a broader, universal significance to these events – beyond the particular salvation of Israel. These events signify the beginning of the restoration of the world to its ideal state ("Tikun Olam"). The Exodus was the "inauguration" of the war against the powers of evil in the world. The sublime level revealed in the haste of the Exodus was a momentous innovation of universal significance.
This explains why - immediately after the parting of the Sea – Amalek came to fight Israel. The great message of our Exodus to freedom, the call for morality, justice and striving for perfection and awareness of divine presence – alarmed the nations. Amalek reacted by attempting to fight and revolt against this call.
We have seen that Am Yisrael's redemption does not proceed according to the laws of nature; it is supernatural. We should remember this during difficult periods in the course of our redemption. Let us continue to believe in the Divine Providence surrounding us, and hope to see Hashem's speed in bringing about our complete salvation.
[1] Chapter 7, 44.
[2] In his preface to "Ohr Chadash", and in his commentary on the Haggada, p. נ"ג "For their departure in haste…"
[3] Ma'amrei Re'iyah p. 165, Olat Re'iyah part 2 p. רפ"ז.
[4] Guide for the Perplexed, part 3, ch. 46.
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein The Foundation of the Jewish People
The Wisdom of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein (7) -Bo
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
