Keeping In Touch: Bo

The name of this week’s Torah reading Bo means “come.” More particularly, the term is also interpreted as meaning “enter” or “penetrate.” Moses was commanded to come and approach Pharaoh. As the Zohar, the fundamental text of Jewish mysticism states, he was told to enter room after room, penetrating to the very core of Pharaoh’s palace.

The Zohar continues, explaining that Moses shrank at this command. He was daunted by the charge to confront evil at its very core. To reassure him, G-d told him, “Come.” “Come,” i.e., “come with Me,” and not “go,” “go alone.” G-d promised that He would accompany Moses and face Pharaoh with him.

This command thus requires personal initiative, and simultaneously, promises that such initiative will be rewarded by G-d’s assistance. Moses was required to act on his own, but not independently. G-d would support his efforts.

This dynamic is replayed in microcosm in the myriad spiritual struggles that we all continually face. We must confront Pharaoh - brave the challenges to Jewish involvement that the outside environment appears to present. And this includes not only viewing those challenges from afar, but penetrating to their core and looking at them from up close.

One would be foolish not to be somewhat daunted by the task. Indeed, if it is not daunting, it is not a challenge.

And yet, one’s hesitation should only be temporary. We have the power to persevere in our mission.

When we do, we find out that we are not alone. G-d is with us, supporting our efforts. Simply put, we see ourselves speaking and acting with greater power than we could ever muster on our own.

And this transforms the world around us, including the challenging forces. Just as Pharaoh became the power who urged the Jews out of Egypt, so too, every element of our existence can become a positive and contributory, influence, aiding our Jewish involvement.