Bo: The First Step to Liberation
Dear Friend,
Seven plagues have failed to convince Pharaoh, but in this Torah portion he finally drives the Jewish people out from his land to experience their first taste of freedom.
The portion begins with G‑d commanding Moses, “Come to Pharaoh.” G‑d is telling Moses to enter into Pharaoh, in the sense of entering deep within the mind and character of Egypt’s arch-idol.
To liberate his brethren from the shackles of their servitude, it was not sufficient to merely “go” to Pharaoh and have a peripheral vision of this leader’s strength. Moses needed to enter into Pharaoh’s mindset, to comprehend the root of his power and tyrannical hold. This was the first step to liberation.
We often try to run away from our enemies and our problems, to block out the source of our frustrations and insecurities. It may be too scary and too painful to look our fears in the eye.
Perhaps “Come to Pharaoh” teaches us to open ourselves up to exploring our situation. Survey the boundaries of what is suffocating your growth. Picture your monsters and face your obstacles. Validate your feelings, rather than escape from them.
Only then, after you have fully and deeply entered into the domain of what is oppressing you, can you hope to succeed in providing the solutions for your liberation.
Wishing each and every one of us a liberating week!
Chana Weisberg,
on behalf of the Chabad.org Editorial Team
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