Parshat Bo
Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer

The role of firstborns is very prominent in Parshas Bo. Hashem smote the firstborn sons and animals of Egypt, while sparing those of the Jews. In commemoration, God commanded mitzvos of sanctifying and redeeming firstborns of Bnei Yisroel at the end of the parshah.

Why is the firstborn so important? Rav Yosef Ber Soloveichik explained that the firstborn Egyptians were primarily responsible for the enslavement of the Jews in Mitzrayim, as the firstborns in ancient cultures bore the positions of public leadership. (See Hagaddas Siach Ha-Grid.)

Perhaps another explanation can also be offered. We find that Hashem initially commands Moshe , "And you shall say unto Pharaoh, 'Thus declares God - Israel is my firstborn.'" (Shmos 4:22) Rashi thereupon quotes Medrash Shmos Rabbah: "At this point, Ha-Kadosh Baruch Hu sealed the birthright which Yaakov acquired from Eisav."

This Medrash indicates that the b'chorah - the birthright - that Yaakov bought from Eisav, which gave Yaakov a leadership role in Avodah - God's service - was being endowed upon the Jews on a national level, such that their redemption from Egypt was to bring them near to God and designate the Jewish nation as leaders in Avodas Hashem.

The downfall of Egypt's firstborns and the salvation of the firstborns of the Jews was thus the fulfillment of the promise to Moshe that the Jews would occupy the position of leadership in Avodah, and the substitution of Jewish firstborns for Egyptian ones comprised God's formal repudiation of worldly leadership in Avodah and the particularization of Avodah with Bnei Yisroel. This explains why the firstborns of the Jews had to be treated with sanctity, and mere thanksgiving for being spared did not suffice. For their fate was not merely one of individuals who were excluded from suffering. Rather, their fate was itself a sanctification, as the role of Godly service - as represented through them - was transferred to Bnei Yisroel on Pesach night, when the firstborns of Mitzrayim were smitten and those of the Jews were spared - or, read "sanctified".

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