We will conclude this essay by explaining what the Sefas Emes (Bo 5636) wrote concerning Makkas Bechoros. The firstborns of Mitzrayim were the basis and essence of the klipah of Mitzrayim. The rest of the Egyptians were the branches of the klipah. Therefore, HKB”H began His assault on Mitzrayim by striking the branches with the first nine makkos. Then, with the last “makkah,” Makkas Bechoros, He subjugated and destroyed the foundation of their klipah. In this manner, the klipah of Mitzrayim was thoroughly annihilated.
By attacking the root of the klipah with this final “makkah,” HKB”H awakened and revealed, correspondingly, the kedushah of Yisrael. HKB”H emphasizes this fact by declaring (Shemos 4, 22): "בני בכורי ישראל"—My firstborn son is Yisrael. He is informing us that even though Yisrael sank to the 49th level of tumah in Mitzrayim, notwithstanding, from the perspective of the pure essence of their neshamos in the universe of “Kol Yisrael,” they are perfect. Hence, they are worthy of the appellation: "בני בכורי ישראל".
Behold, the Sefas Emes was privileged to conclude writing his novel insights in Olam HaZeh by focusing on the declaration of unity of Krias Shema, "שמע ישראל ה' אלקינו ה' אחד", which Yaakov Avinu—the root of the neshamos of Yisrael—instituted prior to his passing away. Thus, the pronouncement of the “bat kol”—the heavenly voice—accompanying the passing away of Rabbi Akiva (Berachos 61b), was also true of him: "אשריך (רבי עקיבא) שיצאה נשמתך באחד"—praiseworthy are you )Rabbi Akiva( that your neshamah departed with the utterance of “echad.” May his merit protect us and all of Yisrael! Amen.
