Parshas Bo: Recognizing the Powers that Be

In Parshas Bo G-d tells Moshe that He has hardened Pharaoh's heart, therefore he should demand the release of the children of Israel. The object, though, is not to gain their freedom, rather it is to elicit a refusal from Pharaoh and thereby bring another plague on Egypt. The passage continues with G-d's explanation for such unexpected behavior, specifically so that the nation will recount this story to their children and grandchildren. The purpose being so that "all of you will know that I am Hashem your G-d (וידעתם כי אני ה' אלקיכם) (Shmos 10:2).

This phrase is repeated another two times in the Chumash. It is first said when Moshe objects to the harsh treatment by Pharaoh which is a result of the request that that Israel receive time off to celebrate a religious festival (Shmos 6:7). G-d replies that He is liberating them from their suffering with justice and great power. In addition He is making them His nation and making Himself their G-d. At least part of this is so that they will know the "I am Hashem your G-d".

The phrase is also said in connection with G-d giving Israel the manna to eat in the desert (Shmos 16:12) and a number of times in the Prophets. It is used many times in the book of Yechezkel, among them his vision of the valley of the dry bones. Interestingly Yechezkel contains one of the clearest descriptions of G-d on His throne, His entourage, and the mechanism by which he runs the world.

The common thread in all of these is recognition of G-d in this world. So to speak G-d is saying, "Here I am, this is where you can find Me". He is saying it to Moshe. He is saying it to the nation of Israel. He is saying it to the person reading the Tanach. Rabbi Yehuda HaLevi in the Kuzari (part 1 paragraph 77) expresses the idea in very poetic terms. He states that one should not consider it improbable that there are G-dly traces in this lower world. However, one must be primed to accept them. He adds that this is the root of both faith and denial.

So to speak G-d is in constant communication with his creation and particularly with the Jewish people. The problem is that we do not recognize G-d even when he is talking to us. The Tanach is giving us places where He can be seen. Hashem is perceptible in the humiliation and destruction of the wicked as well as the redemption of the righteous. He can be found in the execution of justice and in great might as well as the mundane activity of harvesting our daily bread. Sometimes G-d acts directly other times through agencies like nature or the behavior of living creatures.  

Never the less a person must be primed to see the presence of the Powers that Be. The parsha concludes with the mitzvahs of Pesach and tefillin. These provide a hint of the path needed to recognize the Creator. The ideas conveyed are the importance of religious observance including ritual testimonies. One should be humble, wise, and energetic. A person should be mindful of the exodus from Egypt and specifically the sleighing of the first born. In addition the best place to be graced with special perception is the land of Israel.