Parashat Bo
Parashat Bo is the third parsha in the Book of Shemos and the 3rd week of Shovavim. It contains 105 pesukim. For the Haftora, Yermiyahu's prophecy to Egypt is read.
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Plague of Locusts
Moshe and Aharon warn Pharaoh about the impending plague of locusts. Pharaoh is urged by his ministers to release the Jews. After agreeing to only release the adult males, Pharaoh expels them from his presence. Moshe raises his rod over Egypt and millions of locust swarm into Egypt devouring all surviving crops and dimming the sunlight of the land. Pharaoh apologizes to Moshe, who in-turn prays to Hashem and the locusts are blown into the sea. Hashem once again hardens Pharaohs heart and he refuses to release the Jews.
Hardening of Pharaoh's Heart
Hashem tells Moshe to go threaten threaten Pharaoh, saying that He purposely hardened his heart, this time hardening the heart of his ministers as well. This would enable Hahsem to continue afflicting them in order that further generations could be told how He tormented Egypt and the awesome miracles that were performed there.
The Warning
Moshe and Aharon once again approach Pharaoh and in the name of Hashem inquire why he refuses to submit and free the Jews, warning him that a refusal will bring about a plague of locusts. This would be the largest locust attack to ever hit Egypt since its creation. They would cover the entire land, devouring all that remained from the Plague of Hail and would fill up all the homes of the Egyptians.
Urging of the Ministers
Upon the exit of Moshe and Aharon, Pharaoh's ministers implore him to free the Jews so they can rid themselves from this obstacle that threatens to destroy the country. Moshe and Aharon are called back by a messenger and Pharaoh inquires exactly who they wish to have participate in their journey of worship. Moshe replies that the entire nation including the seniors, children and livestock must go. Pharaoh replies that he sees in astrological readings a star of blood and annihilation called 'Raah' rising in their direction, therefore he only agrees to the adult males leaving. Additionally it is only routine for adult men to partake in the sacrifice rituals that they were requesting to celebrate. Moshe and Aharon are evicted from Pharaoh's presence.
The Star of Raah
Pharaoh correctly saw an impending mass blood shed on the Jewish Nation were they to leave Egypt. This almost took place following the sin of the golden calf, where the Nation was almost exterminated were it not for the intervention of Moshe. In fact Moshe used this very statement of Pharaoh as one of his arguments to save the Jews, saying it would allow the Egyptians to claim Hashem only took the Jews out of Egypt knowing they would regardless be slaughtered along the way. In the end Hashem was appeased and the destined blood shed manifested itself through the mass circumcision performed by Yehoshua following the crossing of the Jordan River.
The Inception
Hashem tells Moshe to raise his hand on the Land of Egypt to bring fourth the locust that will devour all the produce remaining from the Plague of Hail. Moshe raises his rod on Egypt and Hashem blows and eastern wind that entire day and following night. At dawn of the following morning the wind caries the locust into Egypt, which then descend all over boundaries of the land, covering the entire ground surface, making it unseeable. This was the thickest swarm of single species of locust to ever attack in the previous and future history of the world. During the time of Yoel the swarm was thicker but was composed of four species of locusts. So thick was the swarm that it blotted out the sun, darkening the land. The locust then proceeded to completely devour all the grass and fruit trees surviving from the hail.
The Withdrawal
Pharaoh calls Moshe and Aharon and apologizes, saying he has sinned to Hashem and to them and requests that he be pardoned this one time and they should pray to Hashem to remove the death of the locust. Moshe leaves Pharaoh and prays to Hashem. Hashem brings a strong western wind that caries the locust into the Red Sea. Not a single locust remains in Egypt, even the dead locusts that had been caught and preserved by the Egyptians to avoid future starvation, came back to life and departed. Hashem once again hardens Pharaoh's heart and he does not release the Jews.