Community Rules: Bo’s Ten Commandments’ Moment

All of the congregation of Israel shall do it

Exodus 12:47

Thanksgiving is celebrated across the United States. The Thursday event is when family and friends join in a smorgasbord-like meal with traditional offerings.

Many take a moment on the day to express gratitude. Then, some turn on the television to watch the Detroit Lions’ and Dallas Cowboys’ games. For that day, the prevailing national sentiment is that all peoples should partake in the experience.

Thanksgiving is also recognized as a day of volunteering. Many spend their holiday dishing out mashed potatoes, green beans with almonds and stuffing to those less fortunate. I recall our next door neighbor annually preparing and serving Thanksgiving meals for the Venice Beach homeless from his bodega.

Certainly, a consensus believes that enjoying a piece of turkey and a slice of pumpkin pie is for everyone.

Thanksgiving’s community goodwill bares some resemblance to the original Passover meal as described in the Torah Portion Bo.

While Thanksgivings’ inspiration is technically Sukkot, one must concede that Passover was also an influence. After all, it is the granddaddy of all Torah-Based Festivals; a precedent setting holiday.

This Post explores how the Passover meal historically influenced community goodwill.

The Portion Bo

In Bo, Moses continues clashing Pharaoh over “letting the Hebrew people go.” With that, the plagues continued. Chaos is abound with days involving both locust infestation and darkness.

Prior to the plagues’ finale- the death of the Egyptian first born, something bizarre occurs. A special meal is to be held- the inaugural Passover.

Bo reports that the Lord told Moses: “Speak to all of the congregation of Israel, saying: On the tenth of this month, let them each take a lamb for the fathers’ house, a lamb per house. And if the household will be too few for a lamb, then he and his neighbor who is close to his house will take it according to the count of persons; you shall count each person according to what he eat for the lamb.” Exodus 12:3-4.

The directions made it abundantly clear that the meal requires community involvement and cooperation. Neighbors needed to coordinate to ensure that each person in their area received a portion.

The requirements for the Passover event clearly imply that it was neither an individual or family event. Rather, it was targeted to the community; an entire people were to collectively share in a moment in time as one unit.

The notion of the moment is essential. Passover or in Hebrew “Pay-sach” actually means “Halt” in Hebrew word.” See Richard Elliott Friedman’s Commentary on the Torah at P. 208. In translations, however, the word “Passover” is used. In doing so, the concept of “stopping.”

As such, the Passover meal intended for there to be a momentary shared community experience. The instruction that it was to be eaten in “haste.” Exodus 12:11, supports this notion.

Beyond that, there was Passover meal attire. Hips were to be clothed, shoes were to be on their feet and a staff was to be in their hand. Supra. [Note: some translations indicate that a belt is worn. NIV.]

Further, unlike the American Thanksgiving, there were to be no “left overs.” Exodus 12:10.

Mt. Sinai further advanced the community participation concept. Before receiving the Decalogue, the Children of Israel were instructed to consecrate themselves as well as wash their clothes. Exodus 19:10.

The Ten Commandments’ Project

The concept of Passover as a unifying holiday was captured in the Hebrew Bible. The notion of renewing a past experience to improve the residents’ spirits was not lost on national leaders.

King Hezekiah made a large Passover event. It was reported that it was been done in accordance with what had been written. 2 Chronicles 30:5.

The intent was to instill the people with a united heart to follow the commandment of the king and the leaders regarding the Lord’s word. 2 Chronicles 30:12.

King Josiah, as well, made the Passover offering a shared event. 2 Chronicles 32:1. It is reported that he donated his personal animals for the meal. It was so the populace-all of them present- could all have an offering. 2 Chronicles 35:7. Others contributed cattle for the populace as well. 2 Chronicles 35:7-9.

As such, the Hebrew Bible evidences reaching back into the Torah to regain something that may have been lost. Even in ancient times, the Torah was used to reinvigorate the spirit of community, coordination, and cooperation. [Note: Do their actions bare some similarity to those who wish to bring the Ten Commandments back into society?]

With the Torah Portion Bo, one can see how the Passover meal could be employed to foster community and goodwill. This concept is not lost in modernity. The Thanksgiving holiday is an excellent example of how a government can foster community values and goodwill.

Conclusion

The Torah Portion Bo takes us to the Passover meal’s origins. The meal was conceived and conducted in a manner to foster goodwill. The holiday’s concept, even in Biblical times, was re-instituted to promote cooperation and goodwill. Even in modern times, national holidays have proven capable of promoting these value.

Be well!!

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