That dangerous First Wrong Choice

The Brisker Rav, explains that the entire purpose of the ten plagues was to teach the world what happens to a person who becomes a habitual sinner.  Ultimately, say the Brisker Rav, such a person will become addicted to sin to the same extent that a substance abuser becomes addicted.  Of course, once that happens,  he has lost control of his actions- a truth that caused Pharaoh to lose his bechirah.  Pharaoh had a choice- and making that wrong first choice was what led to his repeated evil behavior.

Because we are surrounded by the decadence of modern society, we must take this lesson to heart and be extremely careful not to fall into the clutches of the Yezer Hara.  We must realize that the only time we still have full control is before that first taste of sin-because avairos, like illegal substances, are habilt forming and once we are addicted to them, it is almost impossible to extricate ourselves from their hold.

from an article by Rabbi Chaim A. Weinberg in Homodia Magazine 29 Teves

Thank you Rivkie for sending this to me.

Thought is greater then action.

The Alter of Kelm says that we learn from this week's Parsha that thought is greater then action.  When Hashem commanded them to fulfil the mitzvah of the Pascal Lamb they accepted it in their mind, and every time they thought about it, and accepted that they were gong to do it.  They got a reward each time that they had this thought as if they had done this.  We learn from this that we have to be careful that our thinking is always correct and not just our actions.

from a Short Video on Kosher Tube by Rabbi Avraham Tzvi Schwartz   "Every Moment-Parshas Bo"

The Bracha of Gratitude

A person should always focus on gratitude. When we focus on all of the kindness that Hashem does for use open up new channels of Bracha. We gain the ability to see that life is not about me, and to develop humility.  The middah of humility is one of the best ways to acquire Torah.

from a Shiur on Naaleh:

Parshat Bo: Midnight Mindfulness  Teacher: Mrs. Shira Smiles

A message for all times

Rav Rice notes that at the beginning of the parsha, Hashem says, “Bo el Pharoh, Come to Pharoah.” Why does it say “Bo” and not lech, go? Additionally, if Hashem planned to harden Paro’s heart, what was the purpose of sending Moshe to him so many times?  The Kotzker Rebbe explains that when Hashem said “Bo,” he meant “Come with Me.” He was really saying, “I will be with you on your mission.”

 This is a message for all times. Even if we fall into the abyss of evil, Hashem will give us chance after chance to return and He will be with us. “V’ani hichbadti, I will harden.” Hashem himself sends us hardships and difficulties so that in the process of overcoming them, we create a new and deeper relationship with Him. The pain itself is a form of love, just as the very image of thedog, normally a scary apparition, symbolized Hashem’s chesed and compassion.

from Parshat Bo – Hark To The Bark

Based on a Naaleh.com shiur by Mrs. Shira Smiles