Burbank Temple Emanu El - A Conservative Synagogue and Pre-School

8 Shevat 5770/22-23 January 2010
Parashat Bo

Torah: Exodus 10:1 - 13:16
Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Please feel free to pass this on to a friend, and please cite the source

Are We There Yet?

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Come (bo) to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I might show these My signs before him."  Exodus 10:1

Menachem Mendel of Kotzk sees a profound lesson in God's instruction to Moses.  He says, "'Go to Pharaoh' is not written.  Rather, it says, 'Come to Pharaoh.'  For there is no 'going' from the Holy One; it is impossible to distance oneself from Him, for He is found everywhere.  'His glory fills all the Earth.' (Isaiah 6:3)  Therefore it says 'come', as if to say, 'Come with Me, for here I am with you wherever you go.'"

The Kotzker learns that God is not nearly as distant as we might think.  Come with God!  Why not?  In truth, you're already there.

Shabbat Shalom!