In Pirkei Avot we learn that God created the world with ten utterances—ten times that God spoke during Creation. Our Sages explain that these divine words were not just ancient moments in history. They continue to give life to the world every single moment. As we say each morning, God “renews Creation daily.”
Yet most of the time, we don’t feel that renewal. Life runs on routine. The world seems steady, predictable, almost automatic. The Hebrew word “olam” — world — is related to “he’elem,”meaning hiddenness, because God’s presence is often concealed behind the familiar rhythm of our days.
But in Parshat Bo, God pulls back that curtain.
A Story for the Week: The Power Behind the Scenes
Imagine your child comes home excited about an incredible school play or musical they just saw this week. The performance is smooth, the actors know their lines, the music comes on exactly when it should. Everything looks effortless.
But you, as a parent, know better. Behind that polished performance are rehearsals, directors, stage crews, and teachers guiding every step. Without that constant support, the show would fall apart instantly.
The world works the same way. We see the “performance”—sunrise, seasons, health, growth—but not always the One directing it all.
The Ten Plagues: Seeing What Is Usually Hidden
In Parshat Bo, God uses the Ten Plagues to reveal what is usually invisible. Suddenly nature doesn’t behave as expected—water becomes blood, darkness swallows the day, animals act against their instincts. God is teaching Egypt, and really all of us:
“Do not mistake the regularity of the world for independence. I am here, sustaining everything.”
The plagues weren’t just punishments. They were a wake-up call, a reminder that the world does not run on autopilot.
The Big Picture: From Creation to Purpose
If the Ten Utterances created the world
and the Ten Plagues revealed the Creator,
then the Ten Commandments show us the purpose of it all.
God didn’t just take us out of Egypt; He took us out towardsomething—toward Torah, toward a meaningful life, toward a future filled with values and responsibility.
Bringing It Home: What This Means for Us at Posnack
At Posnack School, we have the privilege of helping our students notice the “directors behind the scenes”—the blessings, guidance, and purpose woven into ordinary days.
Every time a child learns Torah, helps a friend, asks a thoughtful question, or shows kindness, they peel back a bit of that hiddenness. They learn not just facts, but how to see the world as filled with meaning and guided by a higher purpose.
As parents and educators working together, we help our children understand that they are part of a much bigger story—one that began with Creation and continues through them.
May this Shabbat bring your family moments of clarity and connection, reminding all of us to pause, look a little deeper, and appreciate the miracles that guide our world every day.
Shabbat Shalom to the entire Posnack family!
Rabbi Yoel Lax
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