BO-Come-2016

Bo | ??? | “Come ” – [ come with Me TO PharAOh …]

-and The Spirit, and the Bride Answer, COme ( BO )

The fifteenth reading from the Book of the Torah is named Bo (???), which means “Come.” The “Bo” Word comes from the first verse of the reading, which say, “Then the YHWH said to Moses, ‘[Come] to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart” (Exodus 10:1). The portion begins by concluding the narrative of the ten plagues, the tenth of which is the slaying of the firstborn. To avoid the plague, the Israelite are given the instructions for the Passover sacrifice and the laws of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And Pharaoh finally consents to let Israel go, and they leave Egypt.

Most High could have made Pharaoh let his people go without executing any plague at all, but that was not G-d’s will. It was necessary to execute exactly ten plagues and make both Israel and Pharaoh know that there’s only one G-d, whose Power is above the power of any other pagan g-d’s. Besides, with this, Moses and the people of Israel developed a necessity and a complete desire for G-d to help them. And Big troubles and an unusual lack of Light in our lives should be perceived as coming from the hand of G-d, as stated: “I make peace, I create evil” (Isaiah 45:7), and should be seen as an great opportunity to Cling more to the Creator.

This portion opens with a warning to Pharaoh, and then the last three plagues. These last three, it turns out, were only experienced by the Egyptians . So in all the ten plagues, only the first three were experienced by Israel – the remaining Seven were entirely focused upon Egypt. We will discuss on last three plagues and it all has to do with the word, Bo [come].

The rest of mankind, those who were not killed by these plagues, even then did not turn from what they had made with their own hands — they did not stop worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk. – Revelation 9:20-21

People were burned by the intense heat; yet they cursed the name of G-d, who had the authority over these plagues, instead of turning from their sins to give him glory. – Revelation 16:9

The Zohar notes that G-d did not tell Moses to “go to Pharaoh” but to “come to Pharaoh,” meaning “come with Me to Pharaoh.”

Why does it say, “Come to Pharaoh”? It should have said, “Go to Pharaoh” . . . But G-d brought Moses into a chamber within a chamber, to the . . . supernal and mighty serpent from which many levels evolve . . . which Moses feared to approach himself . . . (Zohar 2:34a)

“And G-d said to Moses: “Enter to Pharaoh” (Ex 10:1) The Zohar in this portion (Zohar Bo) asks: Why is it written, “Enter to Pharaoh” Instead of “Go to Pharaoh”? The answer they develop is that G-d didn’t ask Moses to go near Pharaoh like the other times, but to immerse into his psyche (because there are no permanent changes if we only deal with things externally, we need to deal with the core of the problem). So the Zohar explains that G-d brought Moses into [Pharaoh’s] innermost chamber, into the abode of the supernal mighty dragon [?????] that is the soul of Egypt (cf. Ezek 29:3), from whom many lesser levels of dragons [??????] emanate (cf. Ex 7:12).

It was time to deal the matter from within. And it’s explained as a personal battle between G-d and the dragon who is the soul of Egypt and the source of Pharaoh’s power (cf. Zohar Vaera).

Most High said to Moses, “Come to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am YHWH.” -Exodus 10:1-2

And It is the mighty wonders that G-d used in delivering His people from slavery in Egypt. As it is written: And the Egyptians shall know that I am HaShem, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.-Exodus 7:5

Some of the points need to be noted

I have hardened , Pharaoh’s heart
I may show these signs of Mine
You may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son
You may know that I am YHWH.

Reading the words of Exodus 10:1, “and the heart of his servants,” a Midrash taught that when Pharaoh’s heart softened, his servants hardened, and when they softened, he hardened. When both softened, G-d hardened their hearts, as Exodus 10:1, states. G-d closed their hearts to repentance to punish them for their earlier stubbornness.

…. Who searches Minds and hearts, and that I will give to each of you what your deeds deserve – Revelation 2 : 23

There’s no other Power besides G-d. The forces of Evil do not have power by themselves. It is because G-d allows so and commands. It was G-d Himself who initiated the conversation with the Satan in order that he would go against Yov, as stated in the two questions: “Where come you from?” (Job 1:7) and “Have you considered my servant Yov?” (Job 1:8). And it was G-d Himself who set the limits of the Satan’s power in both occasions, as stated: “Everything he has is in your hand but do not touch him” (Job 1:12). And later: “He’s in your hand, but spare his life” (Job 2:6).

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now have come G-d’s victory, power and Kingship,and the authority of his Messiah; because the Accuser of our brothers, who accuses them day and night before G-d, has been thrown out! – Revelation 12:10-16

Yov didn’t attribute his suffering to a different power. It was G-d who gave, it was also G-d who took away (Job 1:21). So Moses later stated: “He is Most High in heaven above and upon the earth beneath, there’s no one else” (Deut 4:39), “There’s no one else besides him” (Deuteronomy 4:35 ) And as Yov stated: “the deceived and the deceiver are his” (Job 12:16).

He said in a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.” – Revelation 14:7

One-Law for the Native-Born and Stranger:

And when a stranger [ger] dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to HaShem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. One law shall be for the native-born and for the Stranger [Ger] who dwells among you. –Exodus 12:48-49

Therefore let us keep the Feast[Passover, Unleavened Bread], not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. –1 Corinthians 5:8

Torah

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Exodus 10:1-13:16

Exodus 12:48-49; 7:5

Haftarah Portion

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Jeremiah 46:13-28

Isaiah 45:7

Ha-Berit ha-Hadashah

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Mark 3:7-19

Philippians 2:14–15

John 19:31-37; Acts 13:16-17

Romans 9:14-29; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Revelation 8:6-9:12; Revelation 16:15 – 17

Notes:

The Zohar explains why Hashem tells Moshe “Come” rather than “go” to Pharaoh. Rabbi Shimeon said: Now it is time to reveal secrets that are bound above and below.

“And Hashem said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart…’” (Shemot 10:1). Rabbi Yehuda opened the discussion, saying: “Happy is the people that know the joyful note; they shall walk, Hashem, in the light of Your countenance” (Tehilim 89:16). How much should people walk in the ways of the Holy One, blessed be He, and observe the commandments of the Torah in order to merit the World to Come, and that they may be delivered from all Accusers above and below. For as there are Accusers in the world below, so there are Adversaries above whose functions is to accuse people.

G-d told Moses specifically that these last three plagues will serve as a reminder for future generations of the exodus account – Exodus 10:2.

In this parsha, the final three plagues comes upon egypt, And these Last  plagues correspond to the three Intellectual Sefirot – Binah (Understanding), Hokhmah (Wisdom) and Daat (Knowledge).

In the scriptures of New Testament about upper heavenly attributes

The Three Upper Sefirot:

Da’at (knowledge) also called Keter (Crown)
Chokmah (Wisdom),
Binah (Understanding)

We were created in the image of G-d (Genesis 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 11:7). Which is an invisible image of attributes mentioned in these verses (Colossi 1:15; Romans 1:27).

“What may be known of Elohim is manifest in them his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead ( divine nature) ..” ( Romans 1:19)

So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things Above(Keter, Hokhmah, Binah and Da’at) where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of G-d. Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. – Colossians 3:1-2

“That is why we, from the day we heard, have not ceased praying for you, and asking that you be filled with the knowledge of his will in all Wisdom (Chochmah) and spiritual understanding(Binah), ……………. and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim (hidden sepherah of Da’at),….. –Colossians 1:9-15

The three upper sefirot are drawn from exodus, And I have filled him with the Spirit of Elohim: in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. –Exodus. 31:3

The Spirit of YHWH shall rest upon him: The Spirit of wisdom,And understanding The spirit of counsel And power The spirit of knowledge And of the fear of YHWH.

-Isaiah 11:2

Plague of Locusts:

The plague of Locusts corresponds to the Sefirah of Binah – understanding. The plague of locust may not on the surface look much different than the previous seven, but according to Jewish tradition this plague ties in directly to Exodus 10:2; “…so that you may relate in the ears of your son and your son’s son…”

A key is “Binah” – understanding – which comes from study of Torah at its deepest levels. The “understanding” of binah also implies the ability to examine the degree of truth or falsehood inherent in a particular idea. This is expressed in Job as (12:11 and 34:3): “the ear examines words.” The ear, the sense of hearing, is associated with binah. “Hear, O Israel…” (Deuteronomy 6:4) means “Understand….” The initial letters of the phrase “the ear examines words” spell emet, “truth.”

Set them apart for holiness by means of the truth — your word is truth.– John 17: 17

“Jerusalem above” is Binah as Jubilee, redemption, Teshuva, Temple, YHWH pronounces as ELOHIM. Binah is said to be the divine source of souls, hence the “upper mother” aspect, which is also associated with New Jerusalem ( Galatians 4:26).

…. and is in servitude with her children, and the Jerusalem above( i.e BINAH / Repentance) is the free-woman, which is mother of us all – Gal 4 :26

Talmud Bab. Bath. – “Three are called by the name of the Holy One, blessed be he (Tipheret), and they are: the righteous one (Yesod), the Messiah, and Jerusalem (Malkut/Binah).”

The plague covered the face of the whole earth (Ex 10:15) and it says there were so many locusts that “the land was darkened” .What is the attribute of the Locusts? First, its Hebrew name is ‘Arbeh’ (????), it comes from a root that means: “Many” (???), because they always come in enormous countless groups, and as a verb it actually means: “I will increase” (Gen 22:17 & 3:16). What they do is to consume the field and leave the land without food. This is given as a retribution for robbery/egoism (cf. Shabbat 32b). The Locusts in the book of Yoel represent a power from the Sitra Achra (the evil side) bringing Judgment – the main context of the book is “the Day of the Lord” ( Joel 1:2-3, 6; 2:1). The locust consuming all the existing plants and fruits in the land represents the forces of the dark side destroying all the ethical morals and values remaining in the intellect of those who do not fear G-d, creating a society darkened in their own egoism. This will be healed in the messianic era, as stated: “I will restore you the days the locusts have eaten… and you will know that I am in the midst of Israel… and there’s no one else… and afterwards I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh” (Joel 2:25-28).

Lack of Understanding:

Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the LORD has spoken: “Sons have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the ass its master’s crib; but Israel does not know, my people does not understand.……………” – Isaiah 1:2-3

Plague of Darkness:

It follows the plague of Darkness, which represents a total lack of illumination, which has to do with the “Light” of Hokhmah – Wisdom, as stated: “I saw that Wisdom is better than folly, just as Light is better than Darkness … the fool walks in the darkness” (Eccl 2:13-14).

Here we see Wisdom “building” a house (which is Binah/Understanding), from which come seven pillars . Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars – Proverbs 9:1

But the Wisdom from above is indeed first pure – James 3 : 17

Proverbs 9:10 – The fear (Malchut) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: And in new testament, Matthew 6:33 – But seek ye first the kingdom(Malchut) of G-d, and his righteousness; and all these things(ie. starts from Wisdom, etc) shall be added unto you.

As it’s written: “In Wisdom and in Understanding” (Exodus 31:3) and also: “Because G-d deprived her of Wisdom, neither has imparted her Understanding” (Job 39:17)

As it is stated in Jewish studies that while all Egypt were in Darkness even on day-time, the children of Israel had Light where they stayed. Because there’s Light for the Jew where he is, even though he exists in a place of spiritual darkness, because they are to be a Light to the nations ( Isaiah 42:6) for the world live in thick darkness. This is the Messianic light of Redemption as stated: “I will deliver them out of all places whither they have been scattered in the day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 34:12) and also “darkness will cover the earth… and nations will walk at your light” (Isaiah 60:2-3) (cf. Likutei Sichot 31 pp.46-52).

Yeshua spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light which gives life.” -John 8:12

The Queen of the South will stand up at the Judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Shlomo, but what is here now is greater than Shlomo – Matthew 12:42

that ye may be harmless and simple, irreproachable children of G-d in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom ye appear as lights in [the] world…. , holding forth word of life -Philippians 2:15-16

Final Plague :

The perfect balance of these two Sefirot(Binah and Chochmah) gives us precisely the third, Daat – Knowledge – this is the secret in the verse: ‘Who is this that darkens the counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2).

My people are destroyed for want of knowledge(Daat).Because you rejected knowledge… – Hosea 4:6

Da’at(Knowledge) would increase in the last days:

The concept of “running” in the spiritual realm (i.e gains da’at from above), gains knowledge, and one who draws near to Most High. – But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge [da’at] shall be increased. -Daniel 12:4

The Firstborn:

The last plague, death of the first born has deep mystical implications and clearly indicated the miraculous in action. This last plague was the first and only one to be foretold to Moses when he was yet at the burning bush, as it’s written: “You will tell Pharaoh… Israel is my son, my firstborn. And I say to you, Let my son go, that he may serve me; and if you refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay your son, your firstborn. -Exodus 4:22-23

As it is written: But you are our Father… – Isaiah 63: 16, And The expression Avinu Malkinu , Our Father and Our King…Our Father (Chokmah), Which art in heaven (Binah)…. Matthew 6:9

And Israel is my first born Son – Exodus 4:22, Is Ephraim is my Dear Son – Jeremiah 31: 19, And for the King Messiah, I will give him the position of firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. – Psalm 89:28

The slaying of the firstborn, which was called a plague, as it says: – Yet one plague more in Exodus 11:1,

Every Judgment of G-d is Measure for Measure (midah kNeged Midah). Already with Abraham He had already stated: ‘And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge’ (Gen 15:14). “What was the judgment? The slaying of the firstborn, which was called a plague, as it says: ‘Yet one plague more’ (Exodus 11:1)” (cf. Shemot Rabbah 15:27). This was the essential and central plague by which G-d wanted to punish Egypt. This was the intended plague since the first moment, so it corresponds to Keter – the Crown (the highest Sefirah), because the Sefirah of Keter corresponds to G-d’s primary Will.

The Torah says ‘There was not a house where there was not one dead’ (Exodus 12:30). And what happened with the homes where there was no firstborn? Then the leader of the home died, because it’s written: He smote all the firstborn of Egypt, the chief of all their substance (Psalms 105:36). As in the verse: “Although he was not firstborn, his father made him chief” (1 Chronicles 26:10).

The firstborn sons are called “all that open the womb” (Numbers 8:16). In Kabbalah, the Sefirah of Keter is the “opening of the womb of G-d” in the Sefirotic tree. As it is written: Israel is my firstborn son” (Exodus 4). How is Israel the firstborn of G-d? Before Yakov was born there were many other people on earth, even before Abraham. And even then, Israel was not the firstborn; he purchased the birthright to Esav; but he had the will to serve G-d (Bamidbar Rabbah 4:8), so He made him his firstborn, meaning, even before creation, Israel existed in G-d’s mind. Because it’s written: “beReshit Bara Elohim” (‘in the beginning (Reshit) G-d created’; Gen 1:1). And then it’s written: “Israel is set apart for the Lord, Beginning (Reshit) of his harvest” – Jeremiah 2:3.

Ultimately will be Messiah himself who will lead the world to be in the image of G-d, so that they will reach the level of son. As it’s taught: “Serving God from fear is the level of a servant; but serving Him from Love is the level of a Son” (cf. Kedushat Levi, Yitro p. 36).

About this there’s a Midrash that says: “Rabbi Nathan said: “The Blessed Holy One told Moses: ‘Just as I have made Yakov firstborn, for it says: Israel is my firstborn son, so will I make the King Messiah firstborn, as it says: I also will appoint him firstborn (Psalms 89:28)” (Shemot Rabbah 19:7).

And the Spirit, and the Bride answer, “…Come (bo)…” He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amein. Even so, come [bo], Yeshua HaMelech. –Revelation 22:20

I believe with perfect faith in the coming of Messiah, and though He may tarry. I will wait for Him. The Twelfth Principle of Faith -RAMBAM (Rav Moshe Ben Maimon 1135-1204 CE)

THE PHARAOH WITHIN US

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and when he stumbles, let not your heart exult. Lest G-d will see and it will be bad in His eyes” (Proverbs 24:17).

We may not laugh over Pharaoh’s downfall, because there is a Pharaoh in each one of us. This is the stubborn MELECH (king) who rules in our hearts, in our ego, our vanity and pride. I. me.! Writ large in the drama of Moses coming against Pharaoh in the name of G-d is the story of our inner lives, our daily conflicts and struggles in the test of free will to which we are all subjected. One side of us — Moses, “conscience” — knows what we should do. But another side — Pharaoh, “the evil urge”, the king riding the chariot — resists. There are constant ups and downs in the trial of free will. Today one “wants to” — Pharaoh relents. Tomorrow, he hardens his heart again and resists.

Does it need plagues to beat this Pharaoh down? Or can we find better ways to get free and to take our destiny into our hands?

— Rabbi Avraham Yehoshua Greenbaum

Haftarat Bo – ‘Come’ (Jeremiah 46:13-28)

This week’s portion from the Prophets begins this way: Both the parashah and the haftarah describe G-d’s judgment against Egypt.

The parashah reports that G-d told Moses to go (bo) to Pharaoh; the haftarah reports G-d’s word that Nebuchadrezzar would come (la-vo) to Pharaoh.

Both the parashah and the haftarah report a plague of locusts — literal in the parashah, figurative in the haftarah. And also report G-d’s punishment of Egypt’s gods. And both the parashah and the haftarah report G–d’s ultimate deliverance of the Israelites from their captivity

The word that HaShem spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon would come and strike the land of Egypt. “Declare in Egypt, and proclaim in Migdol; proclaim in Noph and in Tahpanhes; Say, ‘Stand fast and prepare yourselves, for the sword devours all around you.

-Jeremiah 46:12-14

“But do not fear, O My servant Jacob, and do not be dismayed, O Israel! For behold, I will save you from afar, and your offspring from the land of their captivity; Jacob shall return, have rest and be at ease; no one shall make him afraid.”

“Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,” says HaShem, “For I am with you; for I will make a complete end of all the nations to which I have driven you, but I will not make a complete end of you. I will rightly correct you, for I will not leave you wholly unpunished.” -Jeremiah 46:27-28

I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you…- Genesis 12:3

I say then, has G-d cast away His people? Certainly not!… G-d has not cast away His people whom He foreknew… – Romans 11:1- 2

“And you shall guard and do them, for this is your wisdom and your understanding before the eyes of the peoples who hear all these laws, and they shall say, ‘Only a wise and understanding people is this great nation!’ – Deuteronomy 4:6

"Who is like you among the heavenly powers, Most High! Who is like You, mighty in holiness, too awesome for praise, doing wonders."

 You are the Master for your people and a mighty King to take up their grievance. You are the First and You are the Last, and other than You we have no king, Redeemer, or Savior.
 
  Praises to the Supreme G-d, the blessed One Who is blessed.