REFLECTIONS ON PARSHAT – BO 5786 – DARKNESS THAT CAN BE FELT

בס”ד

토라를 삶에 접목하는 것은 묵상과 대화를 통해 놀라울 정도로 즐겁고 몰입도 높은 경험이 될 수 있습니다. 이는 고대 지혜와 시대를 초월하는 가르침이 우리의 일상 속에서 생생하게 살아 숨 쉬는 발견의 여정입니다. 묵상을 통해 우리는 토라의 풍부한 가르침 속으로 깊이 들어가 현대 생활과 공명하는 심오한 통찰과 교훈을 얻을 수 있습니다. 기쁨은 토라 구절이나 이야기가 우리의 개인적인 어려움, 열망, 가치관과 갑자기 연결되는 '아하' 하는 깨달음의 순간에 있습니다. 또한 다른 사람들과 토라에 대해 대화를 나누다 보면, 다양한 관점과 해석이 이해를 더욱 깊게 해주는 상호적인 탐구가 됩니다. 이러한 대화는 종종 흥미와 지적 호기심을 불러일으켜 학습 과정을 즐겁고 만족스럽게 만들어 줍니다. 토라는 우리 삶의 활기차고 역동적인 부분이 되어, 단순히 지침만 제공하는 것이 아니라 끝없는 매력, 연결, 그리고 성장의 원천이 됩니다.

참고: 모든 자료를 살펴보거나 모든 질문에 답해야 한다는 부담감을 가질 필요는 없습니다. 원하신다면 그렇게 하셔도 좋습니다. 단 하나의 자료나 질문만으로도 토론과 사색을 위한 충분한 소재를 얻을 수 있을 것입니다. 즐겁게 활용하세요!

Some thoughts about Parshat Bo

“And the L-RD said to Moses: Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt—darkness that may be felt.” (Exodus 10:21)

The Torah draws a striking distinction in this verse between ordinary darkness and a darkness that can be felt. This was not simply the absence of light. According to the Midrash, the darkness was “doubled and redoubled” to such a degree that a person who was standing could not sit, and one who was sitting could not stand. Movement itself became impossible. Darkness was no longer a condition of sight, it became a condition of existence.

Our Sages explain that this darkness corresponds to the primordial darkness described at the dawn of Creation: “Darkness was upon the face of the deep.” This was not nighttime. It was a thick, compressive blackness that obscured light even during the day. In effect, the world was momentarily returned to a pre-creation state, before order, before clarity.

The Midrash describes this darkness as being like a coin, solid, heavy, tangible. This metaphor is arresting. Why compare darkness to money?

Money, like all forces in the world, has two states. In its elevated state, it facilitates life, generosity, stability, and blessing. In its fallen state, it becomes rigid, dominating, and idolatrous—no longer a means, but an end. When wealth, power, or systems are treated as ultimate sources of security, they cease to flow and instead harden. What should move becomes fixed. What should serve begins to rule.

Egypt was the most advanced civilization of its time, technologically, economically, administratively. Its mastery of the Nile gave it independence, abundance, and confidence. But that same mastery became the foundation of moral blindness. Power was absolutized. Human beings were reduced to tools. The divine Source behind nature was forgotten, replaced by nature itself, by wealth, by control.

The plague of darkness forced Egypt to experience the inner truth of its own worldview. A civilization that turns power into an idol eventually loses orientation. When authority is disconnected from moral accountability, society becomes immobilized. People can no longer “stand” or “sit”, they cannot move ethically, relationally, or spiritually. Darkness becomes something that can be felt.

This is not a message addressed only to ancient Egypt. The Torah states repeatedly that these events occurred “so that Egypt will know that I am the L-RD.” This is revelation directed outward, to the nations of the world. It is a timeless instruction about civilization itself: progress without moral grounding does not lead to light, but to paralysis.

In contrast, the Torah states: “But the children of Israel had light in all their dwellings.” Light here does not mean privilege or exemption from suffering. It means coherence. Where G-d is acknowledged as One, the ultimate Source of justice and meaning, unity remains possible. People can still see one another. Responsibility remains intact.

Light unifies; darkness isolates. When societies look elsewhere for salvation, whether to wealth, ideology, technology, or power, they lose not only G-d, but each other. When G-d is acknowledged, even imperfectly, light persists in the midst of darkness.

The plague of darkness teaches that moral vision is not guaranteed by advancement. It must be chosen. For Israel and for the nations alike, the lesson endures: acknowledge the One who stands above power, or power itself will become the darkness that can be felt.

May we be blessed to live with clarity, humility, and light.

이제 다음 질문들을 생각해 보십시오.

What are the sources of security and power that my society trusts most, and how would I recognize if one of them has quietly taken the place of G-d?
Can a civilization be highly advanced and still be morally “immobile”? What signs would indicate that progress has outpaced responsibility?
What does “darkness that can be felt” look like in human life today, psychologically, socially, or ethically, and how might it arise without people noticing at first?
In what ways does acknowledging a single moral Source above power, wealth, or nature help people remain connected to one another rather than isolated?
Where, in my own life or community, is there still light in the dwelling, and what practices help preserve it when the surrounding world feels dark?

샤밧 샬롬!

랍비 타니 버튼 지음

Rabbi Tani Burton의 시우림 더보기

파르샤트 묵상 – 보레 5786 – 느껴질 수 있는 어둠

Some thoughts about Parshat Bo

이제 다음 질문들을 생각해 보십시오.