260120.bo v074

260120.bo v074

Rabbi Shimon tells us why God required the sign of blood to be placed outside the entrance so that He would pass over Yisrael's houses when He killed the Egyptians. He says that idol worshipping is the only thing which is punished without a person having had to commit an action of some kind. The blood placed on the three places of the lintel and side posts corresponds to the three columns. There is some discussion of the color of the columns and the color of blood, and of the two bloods of Passover and Circumcision that correspond to Mercy and Judgment. At the same time that the Egyptians were being killed, the children of Yisrael were being healed from their circumcision. We are told that the entrance, in "And Hashem will pass over on the entrance," is the opening to draw the spirit and the body, which opening is only freed upon circumcision. Rabbi Aba says that when "pass through" is written, as in "And Hashem will pass through to smite Egypt," it always means that God passed down through the emanations of the Sfirot to perform either Judgment or Mercy.Bo: Verse 74

"For Hashem will pass through to smite Egypt..." (Shemot 12:23) We learned, as Rabbi Yosi said, that this passage is difficult. Could it be that first "He sees the blood" and then He "will pass over" (Ibid.), which means He made a sign? If you say it is because of the commandment to place the blood, then why WAS IT PLACED outside THE DOOR, and why on the lintel and two side posts? WHY DID HE NEED THIS? IS NOT EVERYTHING REVEALED BEFORE THE HOLY ONE, BLESSED BE HE? It is written, "He reveals the deep and secret things" (Daniel 2:22). And why did He have to have to reveal the blood on the lintel and two side posts?

Bo: Verse 75

HE ANSWERS, But we studied that it is written, "And when Hashem saw it, He abhorred them" (Devarim 32:19), and also, "And Hashem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth" (Beresheet 6:5). Yet we learned that providence is not seen above unless an action below becomes manifest from it. Before an action is done below, there is no looking to punish, except for the thought of idolatry, WHICH IS PUNISHED WITHOUT AN ACTION, as it is written, "Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived" (Devarim 11:16). After the action is done, providence is aroused. Therefore everything, both good and bad, depends upon action.Bo: Verse 76

Rabbi Yosi said, All the marketplaces of Egypt were full of idols. Moreover, every house had kinds OF WITCHCRAFTERS who with their witchcraft connected with the lower crowns that were below to arouse the Impure Spirit amongst them.

Bo: Verse 77

We have learnt the secret meaning of it. It is written, "And take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch with it the lintel and two side posts..." (Shemot 12:22). HE ASKS, Why a bunch of hyssops? HE ANSWERS, In order to destroy the Impure Spirit from among them and to indicate on their houses at these three places the Complete Faith, one on this side and one on that side - ON THE TWO SIDE POSTS THAT ALLUDE TO THE TWO COLUMNS, RIGHT AND LEFT - and one between them ON THE LINTEL THAT ALLUDES TO THE CENTRAL COLUMN. Therefore, "Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the Destroyer to come into your houses to smite you" (Ibid. 23), for He sees the Holy Name marked on the entrance, WHICH IS THE SECRET OF THE THREE COLUMNS.