Congregation Zera Avraham

Last week I spoke about how Paro was the tanin, great sea monster, who was convinced that he was a god. Like Ha-Satan, he shook his fist in defiance towards the heavens. I’d like to continue with this theme this week. In this week’s parsha God is about to lay down the final three plagues that will ultimately bring Paro to his knees. God commands Moshe, “Bo el-paro ki ani hich-bad-ti et-li-bo ve-et-layv a-va-dav le-ma-an shi-ti o-to-tai ay-leh be-kir-bo.” Go to Paro for I hav

We are all familiar with the scene in our parsha today where Aharon casts his staff to the ground before Paro and it turns into a snake. Unimpressed, he has his court magicians do the same. But then Aharon’s snake consumes theirs. What many people don’t know is that it may not actually be a snake. In the Hebrew it says “Va-yish-laych A-ha-ron et ma-tay-hu lif-nay Pa-ro ve-a-va-dav vai-hi le-ta-nin.” Aaron threw down his staff before Paro and his servants and it became a ta-ni

Our parsha today contains Moshe’s encounter with Hashem at the burning bush. God informs him that he is to be the agent of redemption for the people of Israel. Moshe is reluctant. He gives 5 excuses for why he shouldn’t be chosen. First, Moshe acts humble and says “Who am I to be the one?” And God responds, “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you.” Second, Moshe says “Who am I to say sent me?” And God responds, “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Third, Moshe says “Even if I