Midreshet Amit

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In Parshat Bo we are given many mitzvoth pertaining to pesach including the mitzvah of 
not breaking the bones of the Korban pesach. At first glance this mitzvah seems arbitrary. Why do we need to focus on such a small detail to fulfil the mitzvah of Korban pesach and the mitzvah of remembering mitzrayim? The Sefer HaChinuch teaches us that, “It is no way for royal princes and counsellors of the land to scrape the bones and break them like dogs” essentially not to eat like poor people but rather as royalty. Though when we received the commandment we were slaves in Egypt Hashem did not want us to eat as slaves, he wanted us to eat in a way that was fitting for the degree of excellence he would raise us to. Through this small action Hashem sets Bnei Yisrael on the path to be the chosen people. 

The Sefer HaChinuch further teaches us that a person is influenced according to his actions. If the most wicked person with the most wicked intensions begins to do mitzvoth for what ever reason, he will end up doing good. And inversely, if an extremely religious person for example is immoral in business he will end up a criminal with wicked intentions. From this we learn that even one small action can change your entirely. Again this refers back to the seemingly insignificant Mitzvah of not breaking the bones of the Korban Pesach. Hashem gave us an extensive Torah full of many Mitzvoth (Tefillin, Mezuzah, Tzitzit…) to ensure our acts and intentions are always righteous and that we are constantly connected to Hashem.

For me washing Netilat Yadayim in the morning seemed like an insignificant mitzvah but I came to realise how important it is. Starting of your day with a small action that connects you to Hashem can completely change how you approach your day. That immediate reminder of Hashem really puts me in the mind set I need to do a full day of learning.