Parashat Bo: Freedom Begins with Questions

Shabbat Shalom!

This week, in Parashat Bo, we witness the final moments of Israel’s enslavement in Egypt. The last three plagues strike the Egyptians, and finally, Pharaoh relents: “Get out from within my people!” But before the Israelites can leave Egypt, they undergo a crucial process – a process that we still recreate today on the night of the Pesah Seder.

It was in this parashah that the first Seder in history took place, with the Korban Pesach, accompanied by matzah and maror. Parents sat with their children, telling them the story, passing down their identity and traditions. Before experiencing physical freedom, they needed to understand their roots. After all, true freedom is not just about leaving a place but about knowing who we are.

Freedom Begins with Questions

The Pesach Seder is structured around questions. What is freedom? How is it achieved? The answer is not only about national independence but also about personal freedom. For a people to be truly free, its individuals must be free – and personal freedom begins with the ability to question.

וְהָיָה כִּֽי־יִשְׁאָלְךָ בִנְךָ מָחָר לֵאמֹר מַה־זֹּאת
"And it shall be when your child asks you in the future, saying, 'What is this?'" (Exodus 13:14)

We live in a world full of invisible influences shaping our decisions – from news, advertisements, and social media to daily habits. Often, we make choices without realizing the forces acting upon us. True freedom comes from awareness: why am I making this decision? Why am I buying this? Why did I react this way today? Questioning allows us to see beyond the surface and take control of our choices.

Asking is Growing

The Seder teaches us to develop this skill from childhood. To do so, we spark curiosity: we ask questions, change the order of foods, and serve sweets before the meal – who said the main course must come before dessert? Who said things must always stay the same?

The goal of this night is to relearn how to question. Often, we become accustomed to the world and stop asking. Pesach reminds us that freedom depends on never losing that ability.

May we take this lesson beyond the Seder and into our daily lives: to question, reflect, and seek constant growth.

Shabbat Shalom!