This week we are studying Parashat Bo (Exodus 10:1-13:16).  We left off last week with seven plagues and Pharoah doing some underhanded stuff.  My heart is so heavy under the weight of his arrogance this week.  But, unfortunately, a man who thinks he is god has no need for G-d in his life.  I often wonder what the Israelites (later known as the Jewish people) are thinking.  I wonder how the political drama is playing out over the dinner tables and around the wells.  Their cries have been heard, but…is this really the solution they were hoping for?  We begin Bo with Pharoah summoning Moses and Aaron for a change.

Who Let the Dogs Out? 

I can't say that I totally understand why but the Torah makes a point to tell us that the dogs didn’t bark as the Israelites paraded by.  The plague of the firstborn in Disney's Prince of Egypt is done very tastefully IMHO, but the scene flthat follows could have dramatically zoomed in on a few things:

* That the Egyptian neighbors were basically handing their gold and silver over and begging them to leave.  Maybe they were hugging and kissing goodbye?

* There was crying in the streets and everywhere every one was grieving.  Not a single home was skipped, except those that placed the blood on their lintel.

* I would like to think if I was an Egyptian, I would have probably copied the blood thing, just saying.  It was clear by this point that the G-d of the Israelites was going to win this war.

* And, other than crying and passing off their wealth, there was probably a hush over the entire nation, kind of like that soundless silence of the blanket of thick snow.  And even the dogs were silent as they quietly left Egypt in a hurry.

I also want to know why they weren't packed up and ready to go, but meh.

Parenting Touchpoint:  

* G-d keeps G-d’s promise.  This is a 400 year old promise, but G-d keeps it. This is a good pattern to keep with our own children.  

* The creative power of patience, and restraint is compelling.  It is similar to the back swing of a fly rod, or loading up your bat before you swing, or the tension on the rubber band of a slingshot…there are seasons where G-d is teaching us to load up kinetic energy by doing almost nothing.  

I hope you will tune in and take a listen to here my full commentary this week.

May the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless you with rest and a heart that can trust in this "load" season.  The best is yet to come.  Until next time, Shalom!

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