Va’era
Parshat Va’era
In this morning’s reading the plot thickens as we almost reach the climactic event of the Exodus. We read about seven of the ten plagues. After each plague, Pharoah’s heart was hardened and he refused to let the Israelites leave.
First Aliyah Exodus chapter 6:2-13 pp. 351-354
God tells Moses that He has heard the cry of the Israelites. Moses is to tell the people that God will take them out of Egypt and bring them to the land of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the people do not listen to Moses. Moses is told to go to Pharoah to let the Israelites out.
Second Aliyah 6:14-28 pp. 354-356
We are presented with a genealogical list of the tribes of Reuben, Shimon, and Levi. Aaron and Moses are part of the tribe of Levi.
Third Aliyah 6:29-7:7 pp. 356-357
God tells Moses not to fear speaking to Pharaoh because Aaron will speak for him. God tells Moses that He will harden Pharaoh’s heart and He will multiply His signs and wonders in the land.
Fourth Aliyah - 7:8-8:6 pp. 357-361
Moses and Aaron go before Pharaoh. To show God’s power, Aaron’s staff turns into a serpent. Pharaoh’s magicians repeat the trick themselves and Aaron’s serpent swallows the others. However, Pharaoh is not impressed.
God tells Moses to meet Pharaoh by the Nile the next morning and use the staff to turn the river to blood. All the sources of fresh water will be turned to blood. But the magicians found they could do the same so Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. The next plague is frogs. The magicians, again, are able to perform this feat. Pharaoh, though, tells Moses to ask God to get rid of the frogs and if so he will let the Israelites go.
Fifth Aliyah - 8:7-18 pp. 361-363
God causes the frogs to disappear. Pharaoh’s heart is hardened and he goes back on his word. The next plague is gnats, and all Egypt is covered with them. The magicians this time could not repeat the trick and they tell Pharaoh it must be from God. Pharaoh doesn’t listen. Moses warns that if Pharaoh doesn’t listen, God will send beetles. Only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites live, will be spared.
Sixth Aliyah - 8:19-9:16 pp. 363-366
The beetles come and Pharaoh tells Moses and Aaron they may leave. Moses asks God to cause the beetles to disappear. God does, then Pharaoh changes his mind.
The next plague is cattle disease. Only the Egyptian cattle are affected. Pharaoh is still not impressed. The next plague, boils, affects animals and people. Pharaoh stubbornly is not moved. Moses introduces the next plague to Pharoah.
Seventh Aliyah - 9:17-35 pp. 366-368
The next plague is hail, the like of which has never fallen in Egypt. Only Goshen is spared. Pharaoh asks Moses to plead with God to make the hail stop. The hail stops and Pharaoh’s heart is hardened.
Maftir - 9:33-35 pp. 367-368
Today is Rosh Chodesh - the new moon - and we read this section reminding us of this sacred occasion.
Haftorah - Ezekiel 28:25-29:21 pp. 370-373
Ezekiel foresees the day when the exiles will return to Israel to rebuild their homes. He also tells Egypt that God will completely destroy the nation.
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