parsha of the week: rabbi avi billet

One thing we’d count on: Pharaoh’s deceit

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Four of the plagues involve living creatures coming to disturb the lives of the Egyptians — Frogs, Lice, Arov (purposely not translated here as this one is complicated to identify), and locusts. During the plagues of frogs and Arov, as well as before and after the locusts come, Pharaoh admits wrongdoing or offers to let the Israelites go. There is no communication with Moshe and Aharon before, during or immediately after the lice. He also offers to let them leave during the plagues of hail and darkness, changing his mind after each plague ended.

If we pay careful attention to the language in the Torah, we see lessons being learned by Pharaoh, Moshe and Aharon. How so?

In the plague of frogs, Pharaoh says, “Let Him get the frogs away from me and my people,” as he promises to “let the people leave and sacrifice to G-d” (8:4). Pharaoh is told, “The frogs will depart from you … and your people. They will remain only in the Nile” (8:7).

Moshe cries out to G-d to remove the frogs, “and the frogs in the houses, courtyards and fields died” (8:8-9), leading Pharaoh to “not listen to them” (8:11), essentially going back on his word.

During the plague of Arov, Pharaoh said, “Go, sacrifice to your G-d here in [our] land” (8:21). After Moshe explains that they need to go on a three-day journey into the wilderness, Pharoah says, “I will let you leave as long as you do not go too far away. You can sacrifice to G-d your L-rd in the desert” (8:24).

Moshe tells Pharaoh he’ll pray once he leaves the palace, as he declares, “The creatures will go away from Pharaoh … and his people. But let Pharaoh never again deceive us, refusing to let the people sacrifice to G-d” (8:24). After his prayer, “G-d caused the creatures to leave. … Not a single one remained” (8:27). But this time again, Pharaoh made himself obstinate, and he would not let the people leave (8:28).

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