Skip to main content

Bo (2026)

Shabbat Bo

Dvar Torah – A Night for Generations

In this week’s portion, the Torah describes the night of the Exodus as leil shimurim—a “night of protection” - and adds a striking phrase: “for all generations” accentuating that this night carries meaning beyond its original historical context.

In Jewish law, this idea is expressed in practical ways. For example, since Passover night is considered a “protected night,” certain prayers are shortened as the night has a different spiritual status marking it free from fear.

But the idea runs deeper than Halachic practice. The Or HaChaim HaKadosh notes that the date of Passover was connected to other moments of deliverance in history and will be connected to future redemption as well. The Exodus itself was not a one-time rescue, but the fulfillment of a promise made generations earlier to our forefather Abraham and continuing to this day. We can suggest that the idea that there is a specific night set aside for protection and deliverance is not to exclude the rest of the calendar from redemption. Rather, it sharpens the promise that the salvation of the Exodus was not a one-time event, but the culmination of a transgenerational promise from G-d which will continue to be fulfilled in the future.

Biography
Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar (1696–1743), known as the Or HaChaim HaKadosh, was one of the foremost Torah scholars and mystics of the 18th century. Born in Morocco, he became renowned for his penetrating commentary on the Torah, which was widely celebrated across the Jewish world, including by the Baal Shem Tov, who praised its spiritual power. Later in life, he moved to the Land of Israel and established a yeshiva in Jerusalem.

Shabbat in/out times
Yerushalayim 16:25/17:44
Tel-Aviv 16:44/17:46
Madrid 18:04/19:06
Paris 17:16/18:26
NYC 16:44/17:47
Seattle 16:39/17:48
More times here

Shabbat Shalom!

This week’s Dvar Torah is dedicated to the speedy and full recovery of my sister Leora Channa bat Shulamit Nechama



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chayei Sarah (2025)

Shabbat Chayei-Sarah Dvar Torah – The Legacy of Lech-L’cha Abraham — like any Jewish father — is worried. Sarah has passed away, Isaac has come of age, and he needs to find his son a wife. What follows is the legendary narrative of Eliezer, Abraham’s trusted servant, journeying to Aram-Naharayim — Abraham’s homeland — where he miraculously encounters Rebecca. Her kindness and generosity shine through immediately, and she unhesitatingly says “yes.” But why did Isaac need a wife from abroad? The same question arises with Jacob — why were the women of Canaan unsuitable for the patriarchs? I once heard a beautiful insight from my sister (whose given name, incidentally, is Rebecca). The defining trait of our patriarchs was their willingness to venture into the unknown in response to God’s call. Abraham heard the command of “Lech Lecha” — to leave behind everything familiar — and he went on to the Promised Land. To join this family and become the mothers of the Jewish people, the mat...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ki-Tavoh (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Tavoh Dvar Torah – Judaism’s Day 1 Culture As Moshe concludes his review of the commandments on the banks of the Jordan, he tells the people:  “On this day Hashem your G-d commands you to observe these laws.”  The wording is striking— why “on this day”?  Wasn’t this already commanded at Sinai? The classic commentator Rashi explains that the Torah is reminding us to approach it as if every day were “Day 1” —fresh, new, and full of energy. That’s not easy. But the way we can keep Torah alive is by making it personal. When we learn, reflect, and discover new insights, we’re not just repeating old lessons—we’re expanding them, renewing them, and incorporating them in our own lives today. At this point when Moshe concludes his own masterclass (see Ramban), he hands us the baton to keep learning, discovering, and letting that continual renewal be the source of ongoing excitement and purpose in Jewish life. Trivia Following Shabbat, Ashkenazim will ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Vayeira (2025)

  Shabbat Vayeira Dvar Torah The portion of Vayeira opens with the famous scene of the ninety-nine-year-old Abraham standing at the crossroads on a sweltering summer day. Though still recovering from his circumcision just three days earlier, he eagerly awaits passing travelers so that he might invite them into his home. Soon, three angels appear on the horizon, disguised as men, and Abraham and Sarah rush to host them with enthusiasm, grace, and kindness. As they sit down to eat, the angels deliver the astonishing news that Sarah, in her old age, will bear a son — Isaac. The Ramban notes that although Abraham had many servants at his disposal, he nonetheless chose to personally attend to the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim rather than delegate it to others. More than that, he performed it with zeal and wholehearted devotion. We may extend the Ramban’s insight to a broader principle: when it comes to chesed — acts of kindness — personal involvement is paramount. Organization, ...
Post a Comment
Read more