Weekly Torah Portion: Parashat Bo 5786

Weekly Torah Portion: With our Young and Old we shall go!!!
An essential trait for any ‘living’ language is that expressions, usage of terminology, and definitions of words evolve over time. Dictionaries and thesauruses give multiple explanations and substitutions for words, phrases, idioms and jargons that are used to express context and situations. Sometimes the use of words acquires different meanings as we progress through our lives. For example, when, as a teenager I heard or shouted word ‘homerun’, for me it literally meant just that - someone had rounded all four bases during a game. But in the colloquial sense of the word, when someone says ‘he or she hit a homerun’ it might mean he did a great, fantastic job that just cleaned up the entire situation...
I recently encountered one of those words that I enjoyed when I was in grade school and have come to despise that very same word in my adult life. Last time I purchased a BBQ grill from Canadian tires, not fully appreciating the value of it coming assembled, I thought that I would be able to easily put it together. Unfortunately, my memory did not serve me well. The next time I buy a new barbecue grill, I’ll buy the floor model that is ready to go because I did remember the previous experience of buying a grill out of the box – which required assembly.
I was too cheap at the time of ordering this piece of grill to spend the extra twenty-five dollars for assembly, and besides the advertisement on the box stated, ‘assembles in minutes. Little did I know that it took me 180 minutes to get the thing assembled and with that, I have to called my father-in-law for assistance. Therefore, when I have the opportunity to buy it pre-assembled, next time I’ll grab it. Now let’s fast-forward to the grill. Thanks to my in-patience and my enthusiastically naive attitude that I could put together the grill, I never thought of paying extra to have it assembled. After one week of having a huge box in our basement, I gave up on the thought of assembling it myself and called Canadian tires to take it back. The company offered to send someone to assemble it at about half the cost of the grill itself. The company itself offers a home service that will come to assemble my purchase through them at about a fifth of the purchase price. Ultimately, I called mt father-in-law who’s very handy to fix it with me.
I now cringe when I hear the word ‘assemble’, but this was not always the case. In my youth I got all excited when I heard the word ‘assembly’ because that meant more time outside the classroom. I’m not sure if the word ‘assembly’ is used today in elementary or high school, but back in the day I looked forward to any time there would be an assembly, preferably during a secular class. As a little boy I didn’t fully appreciate the experience of the ‘assembly’, only that we got out of class and attended a gathering where we could sit back, and didn’t have to take notes. Naturally, we also didn’t really need to pay attention, and ultimately were not held responsible or accountable for the purpose of the gathering. My euphoria of having an assembly was the typical reaction – and immaturity - of a little kid.
Neither my peers nor I appreciated the purpose and benefit to the statement of ‘assembly’ and its implications. The fact that the entire school, from the youngest kindergarteners to the really big eighth graders all attended the same event was a statement all to its own. The unity and purpose as a solid body coming together was the unsung victory of the cause under which we came to unify. The rows of students our age and reality of being part of a greater whole was an incredible silent message felt by the participants of the assembly. Unfortunately, in our society, including our Hebrew society and community, is, in my opinion lacking of this powerful message. I don’t believe people understand or even minutely appreciate the value of an assembly. The secret of the Yisraelites people’s success was the ‘assembly’ – the meeting of the whole - which we read in the story of leaving Mitzrayim.
In this week’s parashat Bo the Torah states in Shmos 10:9 “Vayomer Moshe Binareinu Uvizkeineinu Neilech, B’Vaneinu U’Vivnoseinu B’Tzoneinu U’Vivkareinu Neilech I Chag Hashem Lanu”. “Young and old alike will go”, replied Moses. “We will go with our sons and our daughters, with our sheep and our cattle. It is a festival to God for ALL of us.” In the previous verse Pharoah, after being menaced by the plagues and second-guessed by his advisors, gives in slightly by almost allowing the Israelites to leave Egypt, but catches himself. Instead of allowing Israel to completely leave he asks Moshe and Aharon “Mi VaMi HaHolchim” “But exactly who will be going?” Pharoah is reluctant to send ALL the Israel away while Moshe and Aharon recognize the importance of EVERYONE leaving together!

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Shabbat Shalom!!!