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Dear Friend, Seven of the ten plagues that were visited upon the Egyptians are described in this week’s Torah reading, Vaeira. The purpose of these plagues was, as G-d told Moses: “So that you will be able to tell your children and grandchildren how I have made sport from Egypt, performing miraculous signs there.” Pharaoh is identified with his stubborn boasts, “I do not know G-d,” and “the river is mine and I have fashioned it,” denying G-d’s influence in our world and replacing it with a belief in self power. The fundamental purpose of the plagues was to negate this approach, to manifest G-dliness openly so that all could see, and in doing so, to break the arrogance of Pharaoh and his nation. G-d persisted in this endeavor until “Egypt [knew] that I am G-d,” and Pharaoh’s arrogance was crushed. Ultimately Pharaoh came to Moses in his nightclothes, entreating G-d’s mercy. And the evidence of G-d’s influence in the world was not for Pharaoh alone. The miracles of the exodus serve as testimony of G-d’s control of the natural order for subsequent generations as well. In Egypt, even Pharaoh had no choice but to acknowledge G-dliness. At other times, G-d’s influence may not be as evident, but it is always G-d who is ordering our world and our destiny. Nature itself is no more than a recurring series of miracles. For is there a reason why the sun should rise or the grass should grow? Beyond the natural order, there is a G-dly hand directing our lives. Nothing happens by chance. Instead, in a way in which only His infinite wisdom can fully comprehend, G-d is guiding our lives and working miracles on our behalf. This is one of the lessons of our Torah portion and the miracles of the plagues: to probe beneath the surface and become conscious of the involvement of G-d in our daily lives. The only difference between the plagues in Egypt and our present situation is the degree in which G-d’s hand is overtly manifest, but the presence – and the working – of that hand always remains the same. Shabbat Shalom, |
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Daily Quote |
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The Parshah In A Nutshell |
G‑d reveals Himself to Moses. Employing the “four expressions of redemption,” He promises to take out the Children of Israel from Egypt, deliver them from their enslavement, redeem them, and acquire them as His own chosen people at Mount Sinai; He will then bring them to the land He promised to the Patriarchs as their eternal heritage.
Moses and Aaron repeatedly come before Pharaoh to demand in the name of G‑d, “Let My people go, so that they may serve Me in the wilderness.” Pharaoh repeatedly refuses. Aaron’s staff turns into a snake and swallows the magic sticks of the Egyptian sorcerers. G‑d then sends a series of plagues upon the Egyptians.
The waters of the Nile turn to blood; swarms of frogs overrun the land; lice infest all men and beasts. Hordes of wild animals invade the cities; a pestilence kills the domestic animals; painful boils afflict the Egyptians. For the seventh plague, fire and ice combine to descend from the skies as a devastating hail. Still, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he would not let the children of Israel go, as G‑d had said to Moses.”
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Daily Thought |
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In Your Hands Meditate on a single pool left by the tide and all the life it holds. On a single leaf and all the genius within it. On all the forests of the world, all its seas, and all the life of the skies. Then meditate that all this He has entrusted in our hands. And each person must say to him- or herself: “All this He has placed in my hands alone.” |
