Torah Portion: Bo
Do not break any of its bones (Shemos 12:46).
It is a negative commandment to not break any of the bones from the Pesach offering, as is written, Do not break any of its bones (Shemos 12:46)
Among the roots of this commandment: to remember the miracles of the Exodus from Egypt, as we have written with regard to the other [related] commandments. This [mitzvah], as well, is an offshoot of the same root, for it is unbecoming for princes and high officials to pick at bones and break them as dogs are wont to do; such behavior is more appropriate for ravenous, impoverished people. Therefore, at the outset of our becoming a special treasure among all the nations, a kingdom of priests and a holy people (cf. Shemos16:5-6), and every year thereafter at that time, it is fitting for us to engage in acts that demonstrate the lofty stature to which we rose at that hour. Through the deed and simulation that we enact, we instill this idea in our souls forever.
The reason why the Torah required so many activities as remembrances of the Exodus from Egypt is that a man is influenced in accord with his actions. His heart and all his thoughts always follow his deeds in which he is occupied, whether they are good or bad. Thus even a person who is thoroughly wicked in his heart, and all he thinks about all day is only evil — nevertheless, if he will arouse his spirit and diligently put all his efforts into the Torah and the mitzvos — even if not for the sake of Heaven, he will immediately become inclined toward the good. Then, with the power of his good deeds, he will put out his evil impulse, for the heart is drawn after one’s actions.
And even if a man should be thoroughly righteous, and his heart is upright and free of guile, desiring [only] Torah and mitzvos, nevertheless, should he become constantly engaged in impure matters — even under duress, such as if the king forcefully appointed him to an evil vocation — then, in truth, if his entire occupation, constantly, all day long, will be in that vocation, at some point in time he will [unfortunately] turn from the righteousness of his heart to become completely wicked. For it is a known and true that every man is influenced in accordance with his actions, as we have stated.
For this reason the Sages of blessed memory said: “The Holy One wished to confer merit upon Israel; therefore He gave them Torah and mitzvos in abundance” (Makos 3:16) in order to have [these good activities] take up all our thoughts and that we be thoroughly occupied with them — to bestow good upon us in our afterlife. For those good actions act upon us to become good, thereby meriting everlasting life.
This commandment applies to both men and women, when the Temple stands.
