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The Ramban explains that the description of the Makos is only told once. The Torah does not need to inform us of both the Divine command to Moshe and Moshe's relaying of the message to Paroh since we can assume that if Moshe received the message then he will deliver it and if Moshe delivered the message then he received it. Therefore, the repetition of Makas Bechoros must be to inform us of something unusual.

Interestingly, there are four elements of Makas Bechoros that are stated to Moshe by Hashem. First, v'yishalu ish me'es re'ehu...klei kesef... Request items from the Egyptians. Second, u'mais kol bechor - every Egyptian first born will die. Third, the cry of the Egyptians will be great since no one will be unaffected as the plague will be mibchor Paroh hayoshev al kiso ad bechor hashifchah. Fourth, veyardu kol avadecha eileh elai - your servants will beg us to leave.

These same four requests are repeated when the actual episode of Makas bechoros is described later in the Parsha. However, each one has a nuance that is different. Vashem HIKAH kol bechor - it is not merely that the Egyptian firstborn will die but rather Hashem will kill them. Second, the description of all the Egyptians being impacted by Makas Bechoros is mibchor Paroh hayoshev al kiso ad bechor HASHVI - the captive- rather than HASHIFCHA - the maids. Third, the request by the Egyptians to have Bnei Yisrael leave Egypt includes the phrase u'lchu ivdu es Hashem - not merely to leave but to serve Hashem. Lastly, requesting items from the Egyptians is stated last rather than first, as was done in the previous description. Why the repetition of the episode and why the subtle differences?

The description of Makas bechoros is interrupted by the parsha of Hachodesh hazeh lachem. The first mitzva given to Bnei Yisrael with all its details is an essential prerequisite for the upcoming redemption. In essence, this mitzvah becomes a seminal moment in Jewish history.

Beginning with Avraham Avinu, the role of the Jewish people was to propagate the idea of monotheism to the world. Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov are all kore beshaim Hashem - build altars, wells, etc to popularize the idea of monotheism and to attempt to have the world recognize Hashem. Relationships with the nations of the world are essential to accomplish this mission. Therefore, we are told often of the interaction between them and the people around them: Avraham and Avimelech, Yitzchak and Avimelech, Yaakov and Lavan, Yaakov and Paroh, Yosef and Potiphar, Sar hamashkim and sar ha'ofim, Paroh, etc. The mission of the descendants of Avraham was likro beshaim Hashem. Therefore, relationships with the people and nations around them was an essential element of their existence.

This all changed with the first mitzvah. Hachodesh hazeh lachem symbolized a shift in the mission statement. Going forward, the most important relationship for the Jewish people was their relationship with Hashem and with each other. Vechal arel lo yochal bo - a bris milah is a prerequisite for participation in Korban Pesach. Bnei Yisrael are commanded to remain in their homes separated from the Egyptians. Veyikchu ish seh l'vais avos - the Korban Pesach is for our families only. This seminal moment in Jewish history changes the mission statement of the Jewish people to one that focuses unwaveringly on our relationship with Hashem above all else.

The changes in the description of Makas bechoros as told before the parsha of hachodesh hazeh lachem versus its description after hachodesh hazeh lachem define this change.

Before parshas hachodesh, Bnei Yisrael are most concerned about their relationship with the Egyptians. Even though the Egyptians are their oppressors they feel a concern for their welfare since severing that relationship would sever Bnei Yisrael's tie to their mission statement. How could they possibly influence a world that stays away from them? How could they influence a people that they've destroyed? Therefore, the description of the episode emphasizes this mission statement and the relationship with the Egyptians.

However, after parshas hachodesh the mission statement emphasizes the need to further develop the relationship with Hashem. The descriptions speak of this relationship first and foremost rather than one with the Egyptians.

Before parshas hachodesh, the death of the firstborn is just that - death. Bnei Yisrael are concerned about the Egyptians so they are informed of their impending death. After parshas hachodesh the emphasis is not on the Egyptians but rather on the fact that Hashem - who is taking Bnei Yisrael out of Mitzrayim - has killed them in order to save us.

Before parshas hachodesh, the firstborn deaths will go ad bechor hashifchah. Rashi explains that the firstborn of the maidservants are to be killed because they, too, persecuted the Jews. In response to this relationship between Jew and Egyptian maid they are to be slain as well. Again, the emphasis on the human relationship. After parshas hachodesh, the Torah tells us that the firstborn deaths will go at bechor hashvi. Rashi explains that the reason other captives would be slain in Makas bechoros is to assure that they will not assume that they were saved (had they not been included in the Makah) because of the protection from their gods. They are slain so that Bnei Yisrael will recognize the special relationship we have with Hashem as opposed to the relationship between any other people and their respective idols.

Before parshas hachodesh, the statement will be for Bnei Yisrael to leave mitzrayim. After parshas hachodesh, we recognize that leaving mitzrayim is not enough. It must be followed up with lechu ivdu es Hashem. We must develop and enhance our relationship with Hashem.

Finally, before parshas hachodesh, Bnei Yisrael are informed that their request for gifts from the Egyptians will be accompanied by vayiten chen ha'am b'ainai mitzrayim - the Egyptians will still like them. Before parshas hachodesh they still need to feel this. Therefore, this is stated first. However, after parshas hachodesh it becomes more of an afterthought since the primary concern is on our relationship with Hashem.

Yetzias Mitzrayim and the Torah and Mitzvos that accompany it changes the mission statement of Bnei Yisrael forever.