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Why does the Torah (תורה) use three different formulations when sending Moshe to Pharaoh: "Lech" (go), "Bo" (come), and "Hishyatzev" (station yourself)? The shiur develops the idea that "Lech" indicates Moshe acting as a principal with authority and intimidation, while "Bo" positions him as Hashem (ה׳)'s agent delivering a message. The mata (staff) that becomes a nachash symbolizes authority and power, transforming the encounter from mere message delivery into confrontation.
Rabbi Zweig begins by noting a textual puzzle: In Parshas Va'eira, when Hashem (ה׳) sends Moshe to Pharaoh at the Nile River, the Torah (תורה) uses "Lech el Pharaoh" (go to Pharaoh), while in Parshas Bo it uses "Bo el Pharaoh" (come to Pharaoh). A third formulation also appears: "Hashkem baboker v'hisyatzev lifnei Pharaoh" (arise early and station yourself before Pharaoh). The shiur undertakes a careful analysis of every instance in the Exodus narrative to determine when each form is used and why. The shiur establishes that in Parshas Va'eira, the predominant form is "Lech," while in Parshas Bo it shifts to "Bo." The word "Bo" literally means "come," which seems linguistically problematic - how can Hashem tell Moshe to "come" to Pharaoh when Hashem isn't physically going there? Rabbi Zweig explains that "Bo" means "come with me" - Hashem is accompanying Moshe as the principal, while Moshe serves merely as the agent or messenger (shliach). This contrasts with "Lech," which positions Moshe himself as the principal, the one in charge of the mission.
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Shemos 10:1 (Parshas Bo), Shemos 7:15 (Parshas Va'eira)
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