Va-Eira / Exodus 6:2 ~ 9:35

Va-Eira: He Appeared

In this Torah portion, G~d summoned Moses to demand that Pharaoh free the Israelites. Moses objected, claiming that his speech impediment would prevent him from being able to articulate this demand. G~d then appointed Aaron, Moses' brother, to be the spokesman. G~d further explained that Pharaoh's heart would harden and the Israelites would not be immediately released.

When Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh, Aaron threw down his rod, which turned into a snake. Pharaoh was not impressed and has his magicians do the same. The next morning, Moses and Aaron went down to the Nile and turned the water into blood. Again, Pharaoh's magicians were able to do the same, so Pharaoh refused to heed Moses' demand to set free the Israelites.

After seven days, G~d told Moses to threaten Pharaoh with a plague of frogs. Aaron stretched out his arms and the land was covered with frogs. Pharaoh's magicians were able to do the same. This time, however, Pharaoh pleaded with Moses to removed the frogs, with the promise that once the frogs were gone, he would release the Israelites. Once the frogs all died, however, Pharaoh changed his mind and refused to let the Israelites leave.

Aaron then was able to summons up a plague of lice. This time, Pharaoh's magicians were not able to replicate this feat. Still Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go. Moses and Aaron summons a plague of locust, which devour the crops. Pharaoh agrees to release the Israelites if the plague of locust ceases. Once again, however, once the plague is gone, Pharaoh changes his mind. The following day, a plague of pestilence strikes and kills all the livestock of the Egyptians, while the livestock of the Israelites remains healthy. Still, Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites.

Aaron and Moses then threw handfuls of soot into the air, which caused a fine dust to cover the land creating boils on the skin of the Egyptians. Pharaoh still refused to release the Israelites. G~d then has Moses and Aaron release hail upon the land. The stubborn Pharaoh would still not free the Israelites.