January 22, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen
Bo 5786 (2026)
Exodus 10:1-13:16; Jeremiah 46:13-28
Bo, the name of this Torah portion means come. The portion starts with God telling Moses, “Come to Pharaoh…” Moses and Aaron then went to Pharaoh with a Divine message.
“…Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” (Exodus 10:3 NIV)
Here we get a clear glimpse into the Egyptian court and views held by people close to Pharaoh.
“Pharaoh’s officials said to him, “How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?” (Exodus 10:7 NIV)
As expected, Pharaoh hardened his heart. The portion then covers the last three plagues in the land of Egypt.
Plagues
First, a terrible invasion by locusts came all over the land.
“By morning the wind had brought the locusts; they invaded all Egypt and settled down in every area of the country in great numbers. Never before had there been such a plague of locusts, nor will there ever be again.” (Exodus 10:13-14 NIV)
Then came total darkness.
“So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days.” (Exodus 10:22 NIV)
How did Pharaoh react?
Each time he asked for prayer, but it was only to end the calamity. There was no change in his heart.
Firstborn
It was the final act of God that was the undoing of Pharaoh and indeed Egypt. God had said that Israel was His firstborn (Exodus 4:22-23) and therefore Pharaoh needed to let him go. Pharaoh did not. The final plague was related to this issue. Moses declared it.
“Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” (Exodus 11:5 NIV)
The Hebrews were to apply blood on their doorposts so their households would be safe.
“When the LORD goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down.” (Exodus 12:23 NIV)
The plague took place at night.
“At midnight the LORD struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh, who sat on the throne, to the firstborn of the prisoner, who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well.
Pharaoh and all his officials and all the Egyptians got up during the night, and there was loud wailing in Egypt, for there was not a house without someone dead.” (Exodus 12:29-30 NIV)
God also instructed Moses that all firstborns had a special destiny.
“The LORD said to Moses, “Consecrate to me every firstborn male. The first offspring of every womb among the Israelites belongs to me, whether human or animal.” (Exodus 13:1-2 NIV)
Pesach, the Passover Feast
Israelites were commanded to eat a sacrificial lamb with bitter herbs and unleavened bread. This would be from then on Pesach, the Passover, celebrated in memory of their Exodus from Egypt and becoming free from bondage.
“That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.” (Exodus 12:8 NIV)
God With His People
In Egypt, areas inhabited by Hebrews escaped the plagues. In the prophetic portion Prophet Jeremiah describes nations’ punishments and especially those meted out to Egypt. But here too God promises to be with His people.
“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the LORD. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” (Jeremiah 46: 28 NIV)
The Holocaust
Pesach is the festival of freedom. It is celebrated each year by recounting the story of the Hebrews and their Exodus from Egypt. Rabbis instructed everyone to think about themselves as if they had themselves been freed from Egypt.
Following the Holocaust, rabbis added more to this rabbinic commentary.
Now everyone is also supposed to think of themselves as if they had survived the Holocaust. This gives a whole new significance to the celebration. In the Holocaust Garden of Hope the stories of survivors are celebrated. Everyone can go and learn. By recounting their stories, visitors can become part of the chain across generations, part of the larger story of suffering and but also freedom.
Remembrance and Identification
Is there anything about remembrance in the New Testament? Are we instructed to think of ourselves in place of others?
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3 NIV)
Rabbinic instruction was to think of ourselves as having been in Egypt and in the Holocaust. Remembrance means identification with the suffering of others. It is not passive but active.
Authentic remembrance leads us to act on behalf of others.
*For an explanation of the terms see the first The Torah Portion Blog.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3 NIV
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 NIV
Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
Isaiah 60:1 NIV
…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
Torah Scrolls were attacked and desecrated during the Holocaust. The enduring images of the Kristallnacht (November 9-10,1938) are those of synagogues on fire and Torah Scrolls burning. Some of these desecrated Torah Scrolls disappeared, others were buried. Some were lovingly rescued and are on display in museums in various locations.
