QUESTION: How did HaShem “harden” the heart of Paroh, yet hold him responsible to be punished?
ANSWER: Paroh proclaimed that HaShem did not control him. Thus, HaShem made him a puppet unable to exercise his choice to free the Jews. This is the punishment מידה כנגד מידה that one who declares Hashem has no control, is punished by having removed one’s personal control of “free choice”. Nevertheless, as explained in Tanya, even one who is declared beyond the ability to do Teshuvah, if such a person actually does struggle and overcomes one’s Yetzer and does Teshuvah, the Teshuvah is accepted. Thus, even someone who is low is not beyond the reach of Teshuvah. )57 'עמ ,ו לקוטי שיחות כרך(
QUESTION: Why are B’nai Yisroel called by the name “Hosts of G-d”, specifically when going out of Egypt?
ANSWER: One opinion is that this name is Kodesh (cannot be erased). Specifically, when the Jews fight evil in this world, then they are a vessel that expresses G-d’s rulership in this world. )53 'עמ ,לו יחות כרך וטי שלק (
QUESTION: What is the importance of Kiddush HaChodesh to be the “first” Mitzvah?
ANSWER: Time is normally beyond the ability of people to change (make shorter or longer). However, Torah sanctifies all existence, including the first and most general existence of time. Thus, sanctification of time itself, Kiddush HaChodesh, is the appropriate beginning of all other Mitzvos. By “conquering” time, turning it into “Jewish time” – which is part of the spiritual conquest of the Land – we hasten the completion of our purpose, signified by the arrival of Moshiach. )59 ' , עמכו לקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: Why did HaShem “clothe” the Jewish people (so they would not be bare from Mitzvos) specifically with the two mitzvos of Milah and Korban Pesach?
ANSWER: To be redeemed, HaShem gave the Yidden two Mitzvos to wipe away their deficiencies.
עשה טוב Milah - positive involvement with good deeds (action to connect to G-d)
סור מרע Korban Pesach - public denunciation of Egyptian idol worship (to remove tumah)
)114 'עמ ,זטלקוטי שיחות כרך (
QUESTION: HaShem “clothed” the Jews (so they would not be bare of Mitzvos) with the Mitzvah of Korban Pesach. Why did this mitzvah involve two aspects of an offer a sacrifice and also eating the offering?
ANSWER: Going out of Egypt required preparation for the use of Mesiras Nefesh by the Jews.
These two physical Mitzvos, (1) Shechting and (2) eating of the Korban Pesach, have their reflection in the service of leaving Mitzraim, whether in the past or in our current spiritual service.
We serve HaShem by (1) destroying idols (Mesiras Nefesh in Egypt) and (2) ingesting the Mesiras Nefesh to become part of one’s physical body. )111 , עמ'זט לקוטי שיחות כרך (
