Va'eira וָאֵרָא - And I Appeared
Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2-9:35
Exodus 8:7–18
8:7 The magicians did the same thing with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt.
8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat Hashem, that he take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to Hashem.”
9 Moses said to Pharaoh, “I give you the honor of setting the time that I should pray for you, and for your servants, and for your people, that the frogs be destroyed from you and your houses, and remain in the river only.”
10 Pharaoh said, “Tomorrow.”
Moses said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like Hashem our Elohim. 11 The frogs shall depart from you, and from your houses, and from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”
12 Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh, and Moses cried to Hashem concerning the frogs which he had brought on Pharaoh. 13 Hashem did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courts, and out of the fields. 14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was a respite, he hardened his heart and didn’t listen to them, as Hashem had spoken.
16 Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the earth, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.’” 17 They did so; and Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and struck the dust of the earth, and there were lice on man, and on animal; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried with their enchantments to produce lice, but they couldn’t. There were lice on a man and on an animal.
Today’s Meditation:
In all that Moses has done, he proves that “there is no one like Hashem our Elohim.” (verse 8:10) Moses is dealing with a Godless culture, or really a culture of many gods. Ultimately, we know that Hashem wants everyone to know Him and serve Him. Here is a way to show the Pharaoh who He is. And the Pharaoh begins to see the hand of G-d in all the miracles of destruction. But he is stubborn. He believes for a minute, and then, when things become good again, he dismisses it all. Isn’t that a lot like us? Our faith is strong when we witness Hashem’s miracles, but it grows weak when we become accustomed to them. Maybe it is time to appreciate, love, and give glory to Hashem every day of our lives.
Today’s Challenge:
Do you have any “frogs” or “lice” in your life that you cannot get rid of? Maybe it is time to turn it all over to G-d. Perhaps it is time to believe that He really does exist and that He really does love you. Take a minute to praise Him for all the good He has done in your life. And then ask Him to help you through this time of trouble. Guaranteed, He will remove the frogs and lice; it just may not look the way you think it should.
