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In our Parshah, Bo, we learn of the exodus from Egypt. The Torah tells us that[1] “It will happen when your son asks you tomorrow, saying, ‘What is this?’ you will say to him, ‘With a mighty hand Hashem take us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.’” The Torah uses the Hebrew word “מחר – Mochor,” which we usually translate as tomorrow. However, Rashi cites the words from the verse “if your son asks you tomorrow,” and explains that “sometimes the Hebrew word ‘מָחָר – Mochor’ means ‘now.’ Sometimes the word ‘מָחָר – Mochor’ means ‘at a later time,’ such as it does here.”
Rashi teaches us an important lesson by saying that we do not always understand the word “Mochor” literally. Each child is “Mochor,” i.e., from the next generation. With some children, we can say that “sometimes the Hebrew word מָחָר – Mochor means now.” He is indeed a child; he is a member of the next generation. However, he is living the life of now, the same sort of life that his father does. His essence is that of Torah and Mitzvos, and he is a direct continuation of his father. We must strive to answer his questions, and only through answering his questions can he maintain his service of Hashem with joy.
However, there is also a child that is in the category which Rashi refers to as “sometimes the Hebrew word מָחָר – Mochor means at a later time.” He is part of a new generation, a new era, and his questions do not merely stem from a lack of knowledge. A life of Torah and Mitzvos is strange to him. and such a life is not suited to how he is currently living.
Rashi teaches us that we must also answer this child’s questions because he is your child! It is both your responsibility and your merit to answer his questions. We must draw the generation that lives “at a later time” under the Shechinah’s wings[2].
As a result of busying ourselves with all Jewish children, we will merit establishing Hashem’s army[3]. We will merit now to the complete redemption through our righteous Moshiach.
I wish you a wonderful Shabbos!
Rabbi Shmuel Mendelsohn
Adapted from Likkutei Sichos Volume 31, Page 61ff.
DEDICATED IN HONOR OF THE LUBAVITCHER REBBE
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
DR. MINDEL RIVKA (MURIEL) BAS REB MENACHEM MENDEL SHLOMO ע”ה STITT
PASSED AWAY ON SHABBAT PARSHAS LECH LECHA, 10 MAR-CHESHVAN, 5782
MAY HER SOUL BE BOUND IN THE ETERNAL BOND OF LIFE
IN HONOR OF
The Soldiers of Tzivos Hashem Chaim and Aiden Oded שיחיו Morris
DEDICATED BY THEIR PARENTS
Rabbi & Mrs. Menachem M. and Chaya Mushka שיחיו Morris
[1]. Our Parshah, Shemos 13:14.
[2]. See Midrash Tehillim Chapters 46 and 110.
[3]. Our Parshah, Shemos 12:41.
The Rebbe Teaches Rashi 