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Parshah through the Mediator’s Lens: Bo
The Torah portion of Bo (Exodus 10:1–13:16) recounts the final three plagues inflicted upon Egypt—locusts, darkness, and the devastating death of the firstborn. This parshah marks the climax of Pharaoh’s defiance against Moses’s (and G-d’s) demand to release the Israelites from bondage. Despite witnessing his nation’s suffering, Pharaoh repeatedly hardens his heart, refusing to make meaningful concessions. His inability to negotiate ultimately leads to widespread devastation in Egypt.
Pharaoh’s Conflict: A Case Study in Stubborn Leadership
Pharaoh’s greatest failure as a leader was his refusal to engage in productive dialogue. With each plague, he faced mounting pressure—from his advisors, his people, and his own conscience—to release the Israelites. However, his approach to negotiation was rigid and reactive rather than proactive and strategic. Even when he appeared to relent, he often imposed unacceptable conditions, such as allowing only the men to leave (Exodus 10:11). His lack of flexibility not only prolonged the crisis but also intensified its severity, culminating in Egypt’s complete and utter suffering.
From a mediator’s perspective, Pharaoh’s case exemplifies how pride, fear, and power struggles can obstruct resolution. His refusal to acknowledge the full scope of the problem prevented him from engaging in meaningful dialogue. If he had embraced a more diplomatic approach, he might have mitigated the damage and found a solution that protected both his authority and his people’s well-being.
How Mediation Could Have Helped Pharaoh
A skilled mediator would have approached Pharaoh with several key strategies:
- Identifying Interests, Not Just Positions
- Pharaoh’s position was clear: he refused to free the Israelites. However, a mediator would probe deeper into his underlying interests—maintaining power, ensuring Egypt’s economic stability, and preserving his divine image. By reframing the discussion in terms of these interests, Pharaoh might have recognized that continued resistance was counterproductive.
- Encouraging Incremental Concessions
- Instead of forcing an all-or-nothing decision, a mediator would have guided Pharaoh toward phased compromises. For example, beginning with a temporary release or limited freedoms for the Israelites could have allowed him to test the waters without feeling he had surrendered entirely (albeit feels very odd writing this, especially given current events, but we have to think about the times).
- Highlighting the Costs of Inaction
- Pharaoh consistently underestimated the consequences of his decisions. A mediator would have facilitated a reality check—analyzing the economic, social, and political toll of each plague and projecting future consequences. A cost-benefit analysis might have helped him realize that compromise was not a sign of weakness but a means of preserving what remained of Egypt’s strength.
- Managing Emotional Barriers
- Pride and fear played significant roles in Pharaoh’s refusal to yield. A mediator would work to create a safe (and confidential) space for dialogue, reducing his defensiveness and helping him reframe the situation as a leadership challenge rather than a personal defeat.
The Takeaway: Mediation as a Tool for Wise Leadership
Pharaoh’s downfall was not merely the result of divine intervention; it was a failure of leadership and negotiation. His rigidity cost him everything. Bo serves as a powerful reminder that leaders must embrace adaptability, humility, and open communication. A mediator’s role is not to dictate outcomes but to help parties navigate conflict with clarity and foresight. Had Pharaoh sought such guidance, history might have unfolded very differently.
As modern mediators, we are called to help disputing parties see beyond their immediate frustrations and recognize the long-term benefits of resolution. Pharaoh’s mistakes serve as an eternal lesson: stubbornness in conflict rarely leads to victory. Instead, true strength lies in knowing when to engage, when to compromise, and when to lead with wisdom rather than ego.
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Each week, Ari Sliffman, a Jewish legal mediator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will discuss the week’s Parshah “through the lens of a mediator.” Ari will focus on one or two sections of the Parshah and discuss how a mediator could have assisted with the relevant conflict.
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