Parashah Roundup: Bo 5770

by Steve Brizel

In Honor of all of the Talmidim and Talmidos, their Roshei Yeshiva, their Principals, Magidie Shiurim and Mashgichim of the Programs for One ( and Two ) Year Programs and Yeshivos and Kollelim in Israel-May you all continue to grow as Bnei and Bnos Torah and inspire your communities and families to appreciate the beauty of a life dedicated to Torah, Avodah and Gmilus Chasadim.

BAHav-The Last Three Plagues

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL, analzes the Plague of the First Born: link

R Ezra Bick explains the how the plagues and the messages from Moshe Rabbeinu to Pharoah differ in this week's Parsha from the plagues in last week's Parsha: link

R Avishai David, based upon the commentary of Ramban, discusses how Pharoah lost his ability to do teshuvah: link (audio)

R Assaf Bednarsh, discusses Bchiras Chofshis and Hashgacha Pratis: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

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R Aryeh Leibowitz discusses how the Makos provide us with a lesson in humility: link (audio)

R Berel Wein reminds us that redemption and salvation do not come easily: link

R Eli Baruch Shulman, based on many the views of numerous Mfarshim. explains the uniqueness of Makas Arbeh as being rooted in Torah She Baal Peh: link

R Yissocher Frand explains why the time for the Plague of the First Born was given in an approximate manner: link

The Nesivos Shalom, as explicated by R Yitzchak Adlerstein, explains the contrast between light and dark during the Plague of Darkness: link

R Baruch Simon explains how we can overcome the darkness in our daily lives: link (audio)

R Avraham Gordimer, based upon the comments of Rav Soloveitchuk ZTL and the Medrash, explains why the firstborn were singled out in the Plague of the First Born: link

Dr. Rebecca Press Schwartz examines the purpose of the Makos: link (audio)

The Calculation of the Length of the Exodus in Egypt

R Asher Brander explores some of the many views as to the length of the Exodus: link

Kiddush HaChodesh

R Hershel Schachter explores the role of Beis Din and Eretz Yisrael and a Machlokes Rishonim between Rambam and Ramban in the Sefer HaMitzvos with respect to the sanctifying and establishing a new month: link (audio)

R Michael Rosensweig explores the dual roles of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen in the Mitzvah of Kiddush HaChodesh: link

R Shlomoh Riskin, based upon the commentary of the Sforno and the Zohar, explains why Kiddush HaChodesh was the first mitzvah given to the Jewish People and why the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar: link

The Prohibition of Chametz

R Avigdor Nevenzal shows how the Issur Chametz helps us appreciate the value of time: link

R Chaim Eisenstein discusses the halachic requirements of Bdikas Chametz in rooms that we include as part of Meciras Chametz: link (audio)

Korban Pesach

R Yitzhak Etshalom analyzes various aspects of the Korban Pesach: link

R Mordechai Kamenetsky explains how the myriad details entailed in the eating of the Korban Pesach helped the Jewish People recognize the magnitude of their Creator: link

Mrs. Shira Smiles explains how the Halachos of eating the Korban Pesach actualize our faith: link (audio)

Mitzvas Matzah

R Asher Weiss discusses the level of Shimur required for Matzos Mitzvah: link (audio)

R Mayer Twersky, based on Rashi's commentary to Shemos 12:17, reminds us that a life based predicated in Yiras Shamayim can only be lived mindfully, not mindlessly: link

Redemption of the First Born Male and Animal

R Ephraim Buchwald, based upon the views of various commentators, urges us to remember that our private possessions are to be used to further the Divine Mission: link

The Mitzvah of Tefilin

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL discusses numerous aspects of Mitvas Tefilin: link (audio)

R Aharon Lichtenstein explains a well known Machlokes Rishonim between Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam and suggests that we do not move out of the “closed” world of Torah into our “regular” lives until we have developed and built ourselves up in the fullest and most complete manner possible: link

R Avraham Gordimer suggests why our Parsha includes the Mitzvah of Tefilin: link

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses the issues involved in “Rabbeinu Tam” Tefilin: link (audio)

Sippur Yetzias Mitzrayim

Rav Soloveitchik ZTL discusses various aspects of the Haggadah: link (audio)

R Sir Jonathan Sacks reminds us that the key to the survival of the Jewish People has been and remains its commitments to Talmud Torah and that freedom is the ability to control oneself without being controlled by others: link

Ramban on Miracles

R Yaakov Neuberger and R Dr. David Berger discuss the well known comments of Ramban at the end of this week's Parsha: link 1 (audio), link 2 (PDF)