Archive for the ‘ VaEra ’ Category
In the Portion we read this week we come across seven of the ten plagues that were brought by Hashem upon the Egyptians. Nine of the ten plagues did not succeed in convincing Pharaoh to free the Bnei Yisrael. It was only the last one that had the desired effect. The question raised is, why [ READ MORE ]
In mentioning the genealogy of Moshe and Aharon the Torah says: HU AHARON UMOSHE, “This was Aharon and Moshe to whom Hashem said, ‘Take the Children of Israel out of Egypt…’ ”. (Ex. 6,26) Rashi comments, quoting the Mechilta, that there are times when Aharon is mentioned before Moshe and there are times when Moshe [ READ MORE ]
We read again this Shabbat the promise by Hashem that the land of Israel will be given to our people. The expression used is that it will be given to us as a MORASHAH, (Ex. 6,8) which translated means “a heritage”. This same terminology is used in another context, when we are given the Torah [ READ MORE ]
Many Biblical commentaries wonder about the statement that Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that he would not let the Bnei Israel leave the land. The problem is that this implies that Pharaoh’s free will was denied him. This negates our teaching that a person has the freedom to make his own choice about how he [ READ MORE ]
Hashem sent Moshe to redeem the Children of Israel from Egypt but when Moshe spoke to the Israelites they would not listen. When Hashem instructed Moshe to go back to Egypt to speak to Pharaoh, Moshe complained: HEN BNEI ISRAEL LO SHAM’U ELAI VE’EICH YISHMA’EINI FAR’O, “…behold the Children of Israel did not listen to [ READ MORE ]
When the plague of frogs was brought on the Egyptians the Torah says VATA’AL HATZVARDE’A, “…the frog ascended…”(Ex. 8,2) Rashi brings the Midrash that tells us it was only one frog that came up from the Nile since the singular is used. As the Egyptians beat it kept multiplying. Why then did the Egyptians beat [ READ MORE ]
Moshe told Bnei Yisrael that Hashem sent him to redeem them but they were not interested because they were tired from their heavy bondage. (Ex. 6,9) When Hashem sends Moshe to speak to Pharaoh, Moshe says: HEN BNEI YISRAEL LO SHAM’U ELAI, “Behold the Bnei Yisrael did not listen to me…” and why will Pharaoh [ READ MORE ]
Hashem told Moshe to tell Aharon to stretch out his staff over the waters of the Nile and all other sources of water and they will turn to blood. Rashi deals with the question of why Aharon brought this plague upon Egypt and not Moshe himself. Rashi says: LEFI SHEHEGIN HAYE’OR AL MOSHE, “because the [ READ MORE ]
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