Parsha Talk Bo 5786 2026

Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1-13:16], which includes the final 3 plagues, also has one of my favorite chapters in the entire Torah. Chapter 12 is read twice a year for those who complete the Torah reading annually, for the first 20 verses are read on Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the shabbat coinciding with Rosh Hodesh Nisan or just before it, and the final 31 verses are read on the 1st day of Passover. The chapter includes a description of Pesah mitzrayim, the Passover celebrated by our ancestors in Egypt, and Pesah le-dorot, the Passover celebrated in subsequent generations to commemorate that 1st Passover. And there is much else!

We continue to keep in our hearts Ran Gvili, the remaining hostage yet to be returned to Israel for a proper, dignifiied burial. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.