Bo (2): Building a Legacy

ויקוד העם

And the nation bowed

Rashi here lists three reasons that the Jews got so excited:

על בשורת הגאולה וביאת הארץ ובשורת הבנים שיהיו להם""

First, they received the news of the impending redemption. Secondly that they were going to arrive in Eretz Yisrael. Finally, they were to have children.

R' Elyakim Moshe Braiya zy"a (the son of the Kozhnizter Magid) in the Da'as Moshe asks as follows: Every word of Rashi is calculated. Thus, the sequence in which this information was transmitted also teaches us the relative importance of each component. There must be a build up. How are individual children more exciting than national redemption and conquest? Jews by their very nature see the big picture. At my wedding I mention Yerushalayim. At a Bris we say Acheinu. We don't start the Pesach Seder, ultimate family time, without inviting guests from the street first. Suddenly children trump the manifestation of an entire nation's destiny? There must be something deeper going on.

Moreover, Rashi seems to break this third piece of information  into a category all its own! Fist there is the "בשורת הגאולה וביאת הארץ" - the news of redemption and arriving at the Land. They are coupled together. Then comes "בשורת הבנים שיהיו להם" all by itself.

We can resolve these issues based on the following introduction.

The Pasuk says, ורב שלום בניך - there is great serenity for your children. Chazal explain "אל תקרי בניך אלא בוניך". This means that that the word "בניך" - sons - should be interpreted to mean "בוניך" - builders; that those who study Torah and do Mitzvos build the universe and stabilize it. This is predicated on what Chazal teach in Pirkei Avos that the Tzadikim are partners with Hashem in the constant enlivening of the world. Doing Mitzvos and learning Torah are the life-sustaining nutrients that the universe requires to keep on moving along.

The premise behind any Drasha of Chazal is that words that consist of the same structural elements (their letters) are essentially linked, even if their definitions seem to differ on the surface. Therefore we must ask, what is the justification to jump from "בניך" to "בוניך"? What is the connection between builders and children?

The obvious answer is that the whole concept of a legacy is predicated on one generation building on the accomplishments of their parents before them.

However, there is a deeper facet at play as well. Chazal have taught us (see Rashi in the beginning of Parshas Noach) that the legacy (literally "progeny") of a Tzadik is crystalized in his good deeds. His children are a facet in the greater latticework of Avodas Hashem. Actions are called children as well. They are 'born' from our thoughts and desires.

This is the meaning of "אל תקרי בניך אלא בוניך". Tzadikim are universe builders and this is their ultimate legacy. Each good deed and positive thought adds a brick into the construct of the upper-spiritual and lower-physical domains of the universe. (This gives new insight as to why people refer to special projects and hobbies as "my baby".)

This is what was truly exciting the Jewish people. More that leaving Egypt, more than getting into Eretz Yisrael the prospect of transforming into "בוניך" - Hashem's partners in creation - was the most tantalizing and inspiring vision they could be offered. Becoming a people of life-givers is more essential to the Jewish Identity than any location can contain. Thus the news of "ובשורת הבנים שיהיו להם" beats "בשורת הגאולה וביאת הארץ" any day.

Hashem told them they would have many children, but the Yidden were wise enough to understand, "אל תקרי בניך אלא בוניך".