G-d sent Moshe and Aharon to Pharaoh to ask him to free the Jews. The mission appeared to be a failure. Besides mocking G-d, Pharaoh made the Jewish people work even harder, accusing them of laziness. The people, too, were angry with Moshe for having made things worse for them. Moshe complained to G-d that he would not accomplish anything by returning to Pharaoh. G-d, however, assured Moshe that the people would be redeemed amidst great wonders and miracles.
Ten plagues were brought upon the Egyptians. These accomplished two goals. First, they served as a punishment for the Egyptians’ mistreatment of the nation. But they also served as a lesson for both the Egyptians and the Jews, showing that G-d was in total control over the world and over nature.
Moshe warned Pharaoh that if he would not let the people go, all the water throughout Egypt would be turned to blood. The Nile River was considered to be a god in Egypt, serving as the sole source for water in the region. By first afflicting the Egyptian god, it proved G-d’s superiority over their idols. This was also the significance of the fifth plague, pestilence, which killed the Egyptian cattle, another god of the Egyptians.
Following the first plague, G-d brought a plague of frogs throughout Egypt. The swarming frogs inundated the whole country with their croaking noise. This was followed by a plague of lice, and then by a plague of wild animals that roamed the country. A plague of pestilence killed most of the livestock, followed by a plague of boils afflicting the Egyptians themselves. The last plague mentioned in this portion was that of a miraculous hail-and-fire mixture, that destroyed almost all the Egyptian vegetation.
Each of the plagues lasted for a week, and then Pharaoh was given three weeks to reconsider letting the people go. Pharaoh refused to be impressed by the miracles that Moshe and Aharon performed. Even when he saw that his own magicians could not duplicate the miracles, he hardened his heart and would not let the people go. After the first few plagues the suffering became so great, that Pharaoh did consider allowing some segments of the people to leave temporarily. This, however, was not acceptable to Moshe.
After five plagues of suffering throughout Egypt, and despite the pleas of his own nation, Pharaoh still refused to recognize the hand of G-d. By that time, since he had been given so many opportunities, G-d hardened Pharaoh’s heart and did not allow him to let the nation go. This would pave the way for him to receive the next five plagues and eventually the punishment he, and the Egyptian people, deserved.
... I have heard the groans of the Children of Israel…and I have remembered My covenant…(Exod. 6:5)
The Talmud teaches that both suffering and salt are referred to as a covenant, meaning that just as salt brings out the best flavor in meat, suffering also brings out the best in a person, atoning for his sins. Rav Mendel of Rimanov adds, however, that just as too much salt ruins the meat, too much suffering can break a person and cause him to rebel against G-d. Thus, when the Jews groaned from their suffering, G-d remembered His covenant and began the redemption process.
Judaism teaches moderation in all things. When we practice moderation in our physical lives, G-d responds in kind, and practices moderation in allowing man’s suffering.
Did You Know...
It is prohibited to eat the blood of a mammal or a bird. The blood of a fish is permissible, unless it is gathered by itself making it somewhat distinguishable from other blood. The blood of a human being is prohibited for the same reason. Thus, one may not suck the blood from a wound. There is no problem swallowing blood from a wound in one’s mouth, since that is not noticeable.
If one found a blood spot in an egg, it depends whether or not the egg was fertilized. In America our eggs are generally not fertilized, and only the blood spot need be removed. In other countries it is unclear if that is the case, and the whole egg may not be used.
