Beha'alot'cha: Chapter 2

"Happy is the people that know the joyful note"

Synopsis

Rabbi Aba tells how God drew the children of Yisrael near to Him when they left Egypt and how He raised them to unite through His name; only then were they called 'free men.' He killed all the firstborn of those who kept Yisrael in chains, and thus freed them completely, not through an intermediary, but directly. Rabbi Aba gives the reason for marking the blood over the lintel and on both side posts during the killing of the firstborn. He says that on certain occasions offerings are not sufficient; prayers and petitions are also required, and it is necessary to demonstrate deeds with the Shofar as the blowing of the Shofar arouses mercy.