Death Threats

As Moshe and Aaron continued to encounter Pharaoh and negotiate the freedom of the Hebrew slaves, death hung in the air, actualized through certain plagues (even before the last sign). Parashat Bo continues to describe the ongoing negative wonders sent to punish Pharaoh and the Egyptians for their enslavement of the Hebrew people. Pharaoh grew more frustrated and resentful, at least in part ascribed to G!d’s doing as we hear more than once (such as in Exodus 10:28):

But G!d made Pharaoh resolute in heart and (Pharaoh) was unwilling to send them (the Hebrew slaves) (away from Egypt).

Finally, in the set-up for the last of the plagues (death of the firstborn sons), Pharaoh appeared incensed to the point of threatening Moshe and Aaron. In this instance, he used language that reminds us of his status as an Egyptian deity, and of a power we associate with deities:

(Pharaoh) responded to (Moshe), “Go (away) from me! Restrain yourself from seeing my face again, because on the day you see my face, you will die.”

Moshe replied, “Just as you have spoken – I will not ever again see your face!”

Chapter 11 of Exodus, just after this interchange between Moshe and Pharaoh, describes the death G!d promised as the last plague upon the Egyptians, and chapter 12 offers instructions for what we now know as the Passover meal. From Pharaoh’s death threat, to the promise of death in the land of Egypt, to instructions for avoiding death – this parsha weaves together powerful promises of an ultimate fate. Power and protection go hand in hand as the text unfolds, holding the promise of redemption for one group of people, and mourning for another.

Cloudy bridge crossings capture an ominous mood…