Articles with the tag: bo

Kabbalah of Transformation

Dogs of Messiach

The Soul of Evil

Among the fifty-three sections of the Torah, several stand out as historical milestones. A list of pivotal Torah sections would certainly include the section of Bo, which tells of the Exodus and our birth as a people.

Bo means “come.” The name derives from the opening verse, in which G-d instructs Moses to, “come to Pharaoh” and once again deliver the divine demand that the ruler of Egypt set free the children of Israel.
The name of a Torah portion always conveys its primary message and theme. One would therefore expect this Parsha to be called something like Exodus or Freedom, a name that expresses the significance of this miraculous event. Instead, it derives its name from Moses’ petitioning Pharaoh,...

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No Exodus Without Sinai

George W. Bush is discovering the old military adage that the only thing more dangerous than defeat is victory. The reason for this truth is because military, or even political, victories rarely settle any matter completely. All they accomplish is an opportunity for the winner to come up with a plan of how to best exploit that victory and convert it to a more permanent and winning situation.
This point is emphasized at the very outset of the Exodus story. That is why freedom from slavery itself would be insufficient cause for celebration. As G-d Himself states, “My people shall go free,” is not enough if unaccompanied by the end of the verse, “So that they may serves Me on…

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Israeli News Flash - Jan, 2005 (5765)

More than 500 Israeli troops used bulldozers to wreck empty trailer homes. Police arrested nineteen, including one woman who suffered a fractured hip and was hospitalized. About 150 protestors were at the site even though there was no advance notice. “We kept the utmost secrecy this time,” said official Shlomo Sagi…

Although it was already 2:00 AM, Sharon’s private number rang incessantly.

“Hello. This is the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. I am not really sorry to be calling at such a late hour, but this is urgent.”

“Your Excellency! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Listen carefully, Mr. Prime Minister. I read the report regarding the Israeli army’s action against a caravan of Palestinian refugees; how you stormed…

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--egyptian News Flash--nissan, 2448

Screams and wails can be heard throughout Egypt. Reports coming in tell of a mysteious plague that struck suddenly at midnight, killing every first born in the land. According to our correspondent at the palace, even the eldest son of Pharoah suffered the same fate. News is also coming in that a very dazed looking Pharoah was wandering the alleys of Goshen…

Although it was already two in the morning, Moses could hear someone impatiently banging at his door.
“Hello. This is the King of Egypt. I am really sorry to be calling at such a late hour, but this is urgent.”
“Your Majesty! To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Listen carefully, Moses. I’ve seen what your G-d can…

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“with Our Youngsters...”

The story line is so twisted, it would boggle the imagination of a soap opera writer. Indeed, the convoluted plot lends veracity to the adage, “Truth is stranger than fiction.”

It all begins with a woman named Tommie Granville. Her first marriage had produced three children and one divorce. Soon afterwards Brad Troxel entered her life and they moved in with each other. Two girls, Natalie and Isabelle were born, but it was far from a happy family. Predictably, Tommie and Brad separated. Unpredictably, Brad committed suicide.

The two young girls were often visited by Brad’s parents until Tommie married Kelly Wynn, who had two children of his own from a prior relationship. Kelly legally adopted Natalie and Isabelle but…

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Time, Space & Self

“Time is money.” So say the pundits on Wall Street, your boss and just about everyone else who looks harried and wants you to feel likewise.

Examine the phrase closely. In this context what are they saying? Do they wish you to believe that time is more important than money or vice versa? Obviously, it is the latter.

Is this ideology universal? Do we as Jews accept its implication? Let us turn to this week’s Biblical portion where we find G-d conveying to Moishe and Aaron the very first mitzvah to be given to the People of Israel.

“This month shall be the head month to you; it shall be the first month of the year. ” It is from…

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What Do You See?

During the ninthe plague of darkness........

Proud, mighty Egypt had been humbled. Its powerful generals, clever ministers and even its haughty sorcerers, agreed that the Jews should be granted their freedom. Only one despot, the Pharaoh himself, refused to concede.

And who could blame the minions? Had not the G-d of the Hebrews already plagued Egypt eight times? Had not the beautiful cities becomes sites of destruction and the countryside laid bare? No wonder the populace had agreed. At last, the empire stood united. But had they? Did in fact the slave drivers, taskmasters and overseers finally come together? Perhaps, even now, their joining of forces was only in relation to an outside enemy and not sincere. Let us explore and see what we discover.

The…

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Sons and Brothers

Among thr four sons, the wise and wicked occupy the two moral extremes