B"H
Monday, Tevet 23, 5782 / December 27, 2021
In the beginning of this week’s Parsha, Va’eira, G-d reprimands Moshe for complaining to G-d , “Why did you send me to speak to Pharaoh to let the Jewish people out. For since I came to Pharaoh it became much worse for the people and You have not saved Your people.”
G-d commands Moshe to encourage the Jewish people that they will be freed. Tell them that, “I will take you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgment; and I will take you to me for a people and I will be to you a G-d and you shall know that I am the L-rd your G-d who brought you out from the burdens of the Egyptians..."
When Moshe told them this, “They didn't heed to Moshe due to their crushed spirit and their cruel bondage." G-d then tells Moshe, "Go speak to Pharaoh, King of Egypt, that he shall send away the children of Israel from his land."
Pharaoh refused and was punished with the ten plagues. At each plague, Pharaoh promised to free the people, but as soon as G-d removed the plague, "His heart was hardened and he refused to let them go.” Seven of the ten plagues are mentioned in this Parsha.
Q. How old was Moshe, Aaron and their sister, Miriam, when they led the Jewish people out of Egypt?
A. Moshe was 80; Aaron 83 and Miriam 85.
Q. Since Yaakov (Jacob) came to Egypt until the Exodus was 210 years. How many of the 210 years were the people actually enslaved by the Egyptians with very difficult work?
A. 116 years. The real enslavement began only after the last of Yaakov's children died. Yaakov's third son, Levi, lived the longest. He died at the age of 137. From his passing until the Exodus was 116 years. This is the total number of years that the Jewish people were harshly enslaved by the Egyptians.
Q. How do the names, Moshe and his sister, Miriam, attest to the harshness of the Egyptian exile?
A. Moshe was named Moshe because Pharaoh’s daughter said, “From the river I pulled him out.” Moshe comes from the word Meshisihu – to pull out. His name attests to the terrible decree of drowning the Jewish baby boys in the river.
Miriamcomes from the two words, Mar & Yam. Mar means Bitter and Yam is Sea. She was named Miriam as she was born during the height of Pharaohs decrees against the Jewish people. Her name also attests to Pharaoh’s harsh decrees against the Jewish people.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY