Bo - Day #3

Bo, בֹּא - Come!  

Torah Portion: Exodus:10:1-13:16

Exodus 10:24–11:3

10:24 Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, “Go, serve Hashem. Only let your flocks and your herds stay behind. Let your little ones also go with you.”

25 Moses said, “You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim. 26 Our livestock also shall go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Hashem our Elohim; and we don’t know with what we must serve Hashem, until we come there.”

27 But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!”

29 Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.”

11 Hashem said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

Today’s Meditation:

With this reading, I think about the times Pharaoh goes back on his word. He says he will let them go, but then constantly changes his mind. You may say this is because Hashem hardened his heart. And I am sure this is a large part of it all. But, regardless, he is not a man of his word. Today, many people are not trustworthy. We say a lot of things, but we don’t stand behind what we say. In fact, we often don’t even do what we promise. How many times have you said, “I will be praying for you”? Only you walk away and never do? Or you say, “I will call you soon.” But you never do. Make sure when you tell someone you are going to do something, you do it. You are representing Hashem and His faithfulness. Be careful.

Today’s Challenge:

In the last verse, we see that Moses was great in the sight of the people. What made him great? The miracles, his bravery, his strength, perseverance, what? Maybe all those things. I challenge you today to reflect on what makes you great in others' eyes. What kind of traits do you have that others respect and admire? If you can’t think of many things, then maybe it is time to change. Become a light to the nations. It is our purpose.

Bo - Day #2

Bo, בֹּא - Come!  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 10:1-13:16

Exodus 10:12–23

10:12 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come up on the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land, even all that the hail has left.” 13 Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and Hashem brought an east wind on the land all that day, and all night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 The locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the borders of Egypt. They were very grievous. Before them, there were no such locusts as they, nor will there ever be again. 15 For they covered the surface of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened, and they ate every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. There remained nothing green, either tree or herb of the field, through all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and he said, “I have sinned against Hashem your Elohim, and against you. 17 Now therefore please forgive my sin again, and pray to Hashem your Elohim, that He may also take away from me this death.”

18 Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Hashem. 19 Hashem sent an exceedingly strong west wind, which took up the locusts, and drove them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the borders of Egypt. 20, But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go.

21 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.” 22 Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt for three days. 23 They didn’t see one another, and nobody rose from his place for three days; but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem can bring east and west winds into the land. He can do anything. As I think of winds, I think of cleansing. The east wind brought the locusts, but the west wind carried them away. What is the significance for today? Maybe we should pray for a “west wind” that could cleanse our land. That could remove the locusts, those destroying our land. That would be a good prayer. “Hashem, our country has been contaminated with lies and untruths. Freedoms have been devoured. Please blow your west wind across our land to cleanse it and bring back freedom and Your truths. Amen”

Today’s Challenge:

Darkness covers all of Egypt except for the land of Goshen. If you are following Hashem’s commands and serving only Him, you live in a spiritual Goshen. Take a piece of paper and write down the things that distinguish you from the rest of the world. Write down what it is for you to live in Goshen today. What makes you different? This may reveal some idols in your life and areas where you need to make changes. Maybe you look too much like the rest of the world and need to start being set apart. Only by following the Torah can this be done for you.

Bo - Day #1

Bo, בֹּא - Come!  

Torah Portion: Exodus:10:1-13:16

Exodus 10:1–11

10 Hashem said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these my signs among them; 2 and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your son’s son, what things I have done to Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am Hashem.”

3 Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, that they may serve me. 4 Or else, if you refuse to let my people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your country, 5 and they shall cover the surface of the earth, so that one won’t be able to see the earth. They shall eat the residue of that which has escaped, which remains to you from the hail, and shall eat every tree which grows for you out of the field. 6 Your houses shall be filled, and the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians, as neither your fathers nor your fathers’ fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.’” He turned and went out from Pharaoh.

7 Pharaoh’s servants said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve Hashem, their Elohim. Don’t you yet know that Egypt is destroyed?”

8 Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve Hashem your Elohim; but who are those who will go?”

9 Moses said, “We will go with our young and with our old. We will go with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds; for we must hold a feast to Hashem.”

10 He said to them, “Hashem be with you if I let you go with your little ones! See, evil is clearly before your faces. 11 Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve Hashem; for that is what you desire!” Then they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

My Thoughts:

The plague of locusts. It reminds me of today: how we allow bad politics to swarm our country. Those who are not of Hashem, who do not believe in Him, who take control of our laws, our media, our way of life. They are like a swarm of locusts that devour what is good and right that is left in the land. We must pray and be active to overcome evil with good. It starts with you and me. It starts right here at home. Make sure you have peace in your home, and you are following Torah. It is your guide for living in this world. If the locusts take over and devour the world, they can never take Torah away from our hearts. Make sure the Word is sealed in your heart.

Today’s Challenge:

Read today’s news. Ask Hashem to show you who the “locusts” are that are trying to destroy freedoms in our world. Then ask Hashem to show you how to pray and how to become involved in fighting for your freedoms. Become proactive. Don’t let the locusts devour your land or you.

Va'eira - Day #7

Va'eira  וָאֵרָא - And I Appeared  

Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2-9:35

Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Shabbat: Exodus 9:17–35

9:17 because you still exalt yourself against My people, that you won’t let them go. 18 Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the day it was founded, even until now. 19 Now therefore command that all of your livestock and all that you have in the field be brought into shelter. The hail will come down on every man and animal that is found in the field, and isn’t brought home, and they will die.”

20 Those who feared Hashem’s word among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses. 21 Whoever didn’t respect Hashem’s word left his servants and his livestock in the field.

22 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.”

23 Moses stretched out his rod toward the heavens, and Hashem sent thunder and hail; and lightning flashed down to the earth. Hashem rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was very severe hail, and lightning mixed with the hail, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 The hail struck throughout all the land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and animal; and the hail struck every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.

27 Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. Hashem is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Pray to Hashem; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”

29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to Hashem. The thunders shall cease, and there will not be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is Hashem’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you don’t yet fear Hashem Elohim.”

31 The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley had ripened and the flax was blooming. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they had not grown up. 33 Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to Hashem; and the thunder and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. 34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go, just as Hashem had spoken through Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 9:20, we learn that those who “feared” Hashem’s Word, believed Him, and put their animals inside. Those who did not fear or believe left their animals in the field. The result was as it always is. Those who feared and were obedient were blessed; their animals were saved. Those who were not lost their livelihoods. Another strong lesson to be learned. We must fear Hashem and follow His Word. That includes all we can do in the Torah, even if no one around you understands.

Today’s Challenge:

One thing is for sure: the Pharaoh changes his heart quite a bit. When things are bad, he wants Moses to call upon Hashem. When things are good and fixed, he doesn’t even believe in the  G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He forfeits his brief faith. Are you like that? Do you call upon Hashem in the hard times, but when things are fine, you even doubt He is real? It is best to practice praising Him, especially in the good times. Remember Him daily and share His love with others.

This Week’s Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

28:25 “‘Hashem says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely, when I have executed judgments on all those who scorn them all around. Then they will know that I am Hashem their Elohim.”

29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. 3 Speak and say, ‘Hashem says:

“Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt,

    the great monster that lies in the middle of his rivers,

that has said, ‘My river is my own,

    and I have made it for myself.’

4 I will put hooks in your jaws,

    and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales.

I will bring you up out of the middle of your rivers,

    with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales.

5 I’ll cast you out into the wilderness,

    you and all the fish of your rivers.

You’ll fall on the open field.

    You won’t be brought together or gathered.

I have given you for food to the animals of the earth

    and to the birds of the sky.

6 “All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Hashem, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. 7 When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke and paralyzed all of their thighs.”

8 “Therefore Hashem says: “Behold, I will bring a sword on you, and will cut off man and animal from you. 9 The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am Hashem.

“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it;’ 10 therefore, behold, I am against you, and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the tower of Seveneh even to the border of Ethiopia. 11 No foot of man will pass through it, nor will any animal foot pass through it. It won’t be inhabited for forty years. 12 I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.”

13 “For Hashem says: “At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered. 14 I will reverse the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth. They will be a lowly kingdom, there. 15 It will be the lowest of the kingdoms. It won’t lift itself up above the nations anymore. I will diminish them, so that they will no longer rule over the nations. 16 It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am Hashem.”

17 It came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it. 19 Therefore, Hashem says: ‘Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her multitude, take her plunder, and take her prey. That will be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he served, because they worked for me,’ says Hashem.

21 “In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am Hashem.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

It is clear that at some point, Hashem brings down Egypt. And we know from history this is true, and may be true again in the future. Their cruelty to G-d’s people brings eventual destruction. It reminds me of the times in Scripture where Hashem says, “If you bless Israel, you will be blessed. If you curse Israel, you will be cursed.” We need to support Israel in every way—through prayer, financial support, and positive speech. It is Hashem’s Land and His people. And someday we hope to return with His people to the Land to love and serve Him forever.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

How can we become a part of Israel? How can we be a part of the gathering back to the Land? Simple. Follow and obey His Commandments, support and love His people (and those around us), and join Israel spiritually. Ask Hashem to be a part of His Chosen. Believe, repent, forgive, and love Hashem with your whole heart, soul, and being. Study and follow His Word.

Va'eira - Day #6

Va'eira  וָאֵרָא - And I Appeared  

Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2-9:35

Exodus 8:19–9:16

19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is G-d’s finger,” but Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he didn’t listen to them, as Hashem had spoken.

20 Hashem said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; behold, he comes out to the water; and tell him, ‘This is what Hashem says, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 21 Else, if you will not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you, and on your servants, and on your people, and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground they are on. 22 I will set apart in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, to the end you may know that I am Hashem on the earth. 23 I will put a division between my people and your people. This sign shall happen by tomorrow.” 24 Hashem did so; and there came grievous swarms of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses. In all the land of Egypt, the land was corrupted by reason of the swarms of flies.

25 Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, “Go, sacrifice to your G-d in the land!”

26 Moses said, “It isn’t appropriate to do so, for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to Hashem our Elohim. Behold, if we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, won’t they stone us? 27 We will go three days’ journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim, as he shall command us.”

28 Pharaoh said, “I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim in the wilderness, only you shall not go very far away. Pray for me.”

29 Moses said, “Behold, I am going out from you. I will pray to Hashem that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, tomorrow; only don’t let Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to Hashem.” 30 Moses went out from Pharaoh and prayed to Hashem. 31 Hashem did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. There remained not one. 32 Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he didn’t let the people go.

9 Then Hashem said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, says: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 For if you refuse to let them go, and hold them still, 3 behold, Hashem’s hand is on your livestock which are in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the herds, and on the flocks with a very grievous pestilence. 4 Hashem will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt; and nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.”’” 5 Hashem appointed a set time, saying, “Tomorrow Hashem shall do this thing in the land.” 6 Hashem did that thing on the next day; and all the livestock of Egypt died, but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. 7 Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not so much as one of the livestock of the Israelites dead. But the heart of Pharaoh was stubborn, and he didn’t let the people go.

8 Hashem said to Moses and to Aaron, “Take handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the sky in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 It shall become small dust over all the land of Egypt, and shall be boils and blisters breaking out on man and on animal, throughout all the land of Egypt.”

10 They took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward the sky; and it became boils and blisters breaking out on man and on animal. 11 The magicians couldn’t stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. 12 Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he didn’t listen to them, as Hashem had spoken to Moses.

13 Hashem said to Moses, “Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and tell him, ‘This is what Hashem, the Elohim of the Hebrews, says: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 14 For this time I will send all my plagues against your heart, against your officials, and against your people; that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth. 15 For now I would have stretched out My hand, and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth; 16 but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth…

Today’s Meditation:

Flies, killing of livestock, and boils destroy the Egyptians, and Pharaoh still does not relent. But now we see Hashem separating His people from the disasters. He literally sets them apart. This is a reflection of the future of His people. The Jewish Nation will be set apart from the rest of mankind forever. However, they will be commanded to be a light to the other nations, so that others may come to Hashem to know Him and serve Him. We all want to be grafted into this set-apart nation. So that when the Mashiach returns, we will be in Jerusalem and in the Land serving Him forever.

Today’s Challenge:

What can you change in your life to start living a set-apart life? The most obvious is following Hashem’s Commands, His Law. Even simple things, such as observing Shabbat on Saturday, refraining from eating unclean foods, and celebrating the annual Feasts. You may want to try doing this soon. It is simply obedience.