Bo: Come to Pharaoh

In this week's Torah portion, we learn about the last three plagues, which culminate with the Passover sacrifice and the death of the Egyptian firstborn. The portion starts out with words that are somewhat enigmatic. God tells Moshe, "Come to Pharaoh" instead of "Go" to him. This implies that God is in the same place as Pharaoh, and that by coming to Pharaoh, Moshe is actually coming to God as well. Continuing the thoughts of last week's portion, it is important for us always to remember that when we are on a mission and we're facing difficulties, God is in the difficulties, too. Every obstacle we face comes from God. He places them in our way in order for us to realize just how much we need Him, and to bring us closer to Him.

On a similar note, even the plagues themselves were sent in order for us and the Egyptians to come closer to God. Rabbi Yossi Jacobson points out that the ten plagues parallel the ten faculties of the soul, known as the sefirot. These faculties had been utterly corrupted by Egyptian culture, and the plagues began a process of purification of the impure husks (klipot) created. The healing of the ten soul faculties was ultimately achieved with the giving of the Ten Commandments. More information on this concept can be found here.

This idea of  rectifying the ten faculties of the soul and nullifying the ten levels of klippah connected to them, is also found in the works of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, particularly in his famous "Tikun HaKlali" (General Remedy). Rebbe Nachman and his main disciple, Rabbi Natan, discuss a spiritual discovery Rabbi Nachman made regarding a general rectification that is achieved through the recitation of ten particular psalms. These psalms represent the ten expressions of song, which are the basis for the entire Book of Psalms. These psalms are to be said in order, and are the following: 16, 32, 41, 42, 59, 77, 90, 105, 137, 150.

Rebbe Nachman said that he is "very strong" about everything he taught, but that he is "strongest" regarding the great power of this general remedy. He also stated that reciting them seems relatively easy, but that in practice it will be difficult.

There's no such thing as a free lunch. The bottom line is that we have to work in order to achieve. If we realize that the whole process is actually bringing us closer to God, then the work and hardship won't be that bad after all - it will actually be good. I don't mean to be repetitive, but the idea is worth repeating: the main thing is to have faith and not be afraid. Never give up - there's no such thing.

More information regarding Tikun Klali can be found in Avraham Greenbaum's book, available at ModernJewishHome.com, here.