January 25, 2025 · כ"ה טבת תשפ״ה
Parashat Va’era · פרשת וארא
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA This week’s parsha, Va’era, continues the story of the Jewish people in Mitzrayim (Egypt). Hashem speaks to Moshe Rabbeinu and reminds him of the special promise He made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Hashem tells Moshe that He will keep His promise to take the Jewish people out of slavery, bring them to freedom, and give them the land of Israel. Hashem tells Moshe to go back to Pharaoh and tell him to let Bnei Yisrael go. But Pharaoh's heart is hard, and he refuses to listen. He doesn’t believe in Hashem and doesn’t want to let the Jewish people leave. Hashem tells Moshe and his brother Aharon that He will bring miracles and punishments to show Pharaoh and all of Egypt that He is the one true God.
The first miracle Moshe and Aharon show Pharaoh is turning Aharon’s staff into a snake. But Pharaoh's magicians also turn their staffs into snakes. However, Aharon’s staff swallows their staffs, showing that Hashem’s power is greater. Pharaoh still refuses to listen, so Hashem begins to send the ten makot (plagues). In this parsha, we learn about the first seven makot: 1. Dam (Blood): Hashem turns the Nile to blood, and the Egyptians cannot drink the water. 2. Tzefardei’a (Frogs): Frogs swarm all over Egypt, jumping into people’s houses and food. 3. Kinim (Lice): Tiny lice cover people and animals. 4. Arov (Wild Animals): Wild animals run through Egypt, destroying everything in their path.
ONE BIG IDEA Moshe was the main person who brought about the ten makot. The first 3 makot - Dam, Tzefardei’a, and Kinim - however, were led by Aharon. The reason is that the first 3 makot were connected to the Nile and the dirt in Egypt. Moshe couldn’t hurt the Nile or the ground because he had Hakarat Hatov (gratitude) for them. The Nile saved Moshe when he was a baby, and the ground covered the Egyptian that Moshe killed to save a Jewish slave. If Moshe showed gratitude to water and dirt - things that don’t even have feelings - how much more so do we need to show hakarat hatov to people who help us, like our parents, teachers, and friends!?
5. Dever (Animal Disease): Many of the Egyptians’ animals get sick and die. 6. Shchin (Boils): Painful boils cover the Egyptians’ skin. 7. Barad (Hail): Huge hailstones mixed with fire fall from the sky, destroying crops and buildings. Even though each makah is worse than the one before, Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, and he refuses to let the Jewish people go. Hashem is showing everyone that He is in control of the world and is protecting Bnei Yisrael.
TIMES - זמנים Candle-lighting: 4:45pm Havdalah: 5:44pm allah: 5:25pm