Shabbat Parashat Bo 5775
Parashat Hashavua: Good Darkness Chases Away False LightHarav Yosef Carmel
We find several explanations in Chazal for the unique contribution (other than a show of Hashem’s strength and punishment to
The Midrash Aggada (Bo 10) says that there were rich and wicked Jews who cooperated with the Egyptian oppression of their brothers, and Hashem decided to kill them along with the Egyptians. Had Hashem killed them at a normal time, the Egyptians would have said that the plagues affected the Jews the way they affected the Egyptians. Therefore, during the plague of darkness was the opportune time for the demise of these Jews, so that the matter could go unnoticed by the Egyptians.
The same source cites another possible benefit of this plague. The Israelites were instructed to borrow as many riches from the Egyptians as they could, but the Egyptians were likely to deny possessing as many gold and silver jewels and utensils as they did. During the darkness, which did not affect the Jews, they looked for hiding places of these objects in the Egyptians’ houses, so that when they later denied having them, the Jews said that they saw A and B in X and Y places. The Jews pointed out that they could have taken them, but instead the Egyptians were being given an opportunity to lend them, which they indeed ended up doing to a very broad degree. The two approaches are not mutually exclusive, as “these and those are the words of the living G-d.” Indeed Rashi cites both.
There is a third explanation. The darkness was a midda k’neged midda (particularly fitting) punishment. The P’sikta (11) tells a story that apparently occurred with variations several times. An Egyptian would grab a Jew and make him stand still (at the threat of execution) with candles burning down on his head, while the Egyptian was eating.
We will try to light up the darkness with the help of a prophecy by Yeshaya about
Based on this background, we can suggest that the plague of darkness was intended to show the Egyptians that even the sun, with all its power, is under the dominion of Hashem. Hashem may decide to allow its light to spread, and He may decide that its light will have no effect. One of the goals of the plagues was to teach the Egyptians and, through them, the world at large the basics of belief in one G-d. The Plague of Darkness had a central role in reaching that goal.
Let us pray that all who live in the world will recognize Hashem’s Kingdom and realize that all the powers of nature serve Him.
Top of page
Print this page
Send to friend
to the memory of:
All those who
fell in the war for our homeland.
Mrs. Sara Wengrowsky
bat R’ Moshe Zev a”h.
who passed away on 10 Tamuz, 5774
Rina Bat Yaakov Pushett A"H
Her smile and warmth are sorely missed.
Yechezkel Shraga Brachfeld
Rabbi Yosef Mordechai Simcha
ben Bina Stern o.b.m
who passed away
21 Adar I, 5774
R' Yaakov ben Abraham & Aisha
Chana bat Yaish & Simcha
R' Shmuel Shemesh z"l
who passed away
17 Sivan, 5774
is endowed by
Les & Ethel Sutker
Louis and Lillian Klein, z”l