Va'eira וָאֵרָא - And I Appeared
Torah Portion: Exodus 6:2-9:35
Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
Shabbat: Exodus 9:17–35
9:17 because you still exalt yourself against My people, that you won’t let them go. 18 Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as has not been in Egypt since the day it was founded, even until now. 19 Now therefore command that all of your livestock and all that you have in the field be brought into shelter. The hail will come down on every man and animal that is found in the field, and isn’t brought home, and they will die.”
20 Those who feared Hashem’s word among the servants of Pharaoh made their servants and their livestock flee into the houses. 21 Whoever didn’t respect Hashem’s word left his servants and his livestock in the field.
22 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man, and on animal, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.”
23 Moses stretched out his rod toward the heavens, and Hashem sent thunder and hail; and lightning flashed down to the earth. Hashem rained hail on the land of Egypt. 24 So there was very severe hail, and lightning mixed with the hail, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 The hail struck throughout all the land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and animal; and the hail struck every herb of the field, and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail.
27 Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “I have sinned this time. Hashem is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Pray to Hashem; for there has been enough of mighty thunderings and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer.”
29 Moses said to him, “As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to Hashem. The thunders shall cease, and there will not be any more hail; that you may know that the earth is Hashem’s. 30 But as for you and your servants, I know that you don’t yet fear Hashem Elohim.”
31 The flax and the barley were struck, for the barley had ripened and the flax was blooming. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they had not grown up. 33 Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread out his hands to Hashem; and the thunder and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. 34 When Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 The heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go, just as Hashem had spoken through Moses.
Today’s Meditation:
In verse 9:20, we learn that those who “feared” Hashem’s Word, believed Him, and put their animals inside. Those who did not fear or believe left their animals in the field. The result was as it always is. Those who feared and were obedient were blessed; their animals were saved. Those who were not lost their livelihoods. Another strong lesson to be learned. We must fear Hashem and follow His Word. That includes all we can do in the Torah, even if no one around you understands.
Today’s Challenge:
One thing is for sure: the Pharaoh changes his heart quite a bit. When things are bad, he wants Moses to call upon Hashem. When things are good and fixed, he doesn’t even believe in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He forfeits his brief faith. Are you like that? Do you call upon Hashem in the hard times, but when things are fine, you even doubt He is real? It is best to practice praising Him, especially in the good times. Remember Him daily and share His love with others.
This Week’s Haftarah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21
28:25 “‘Hashem says: “When I have gathered the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and am sanctified in them in the sight of the nations, then they will dwell in their own land which I gave to my servant Jacob. 26 They will dwell in it securely. Yes, they will build houses, plant vineyards, and will dwell securely, when I have executed judgments on all those who scorn them all around. Then they will know that I am Hashem their Elohim.”
29 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him and against all Egypt. 3 Speak and say, ‘Hashem says:
“Behold, I am against you, Pharaoh king of Egypt,
the great monster that lies in the middle of his rivers,
that has said, ‘My river is my own,
and I have made it for myself.’
4 I will put hooks in your jaws,
and I will make the fish of your rivers stick to your scales.
I will bring you up out of the middle of your rivers,
with all the fish of your rivers which stick to your scales.
5 I’ll cast you out into the wilderness,
you and all the fish of your rivers.
You’ll fall on the open field.
You won’t be brought together or gathered.
I have given you for food to the animals of the earth
and to the birds of the sky.
6 “All the inhabitants of Egypt will know that I am Hashem, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. 7 When they took hold of you by your hand, you broke, and tore all their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke and paralyzed all of their thighs.”
8 “Therefore Hashem says: “Behold, I will bring a sword on you, and will cut off man and animal from you. 9 The land of Egypt will be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am Hashem.
“Because he has said, ‘The river is mine, and I have made it;’ 10 therefore, behold, I am against you, and against your rivers. I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from the tower of Seveneh even to the border of Ethiopia. 11 No foot of man will pass through it, nor will any animal foot pass through it. It won’t be inhabited for forty years. 12 I will make the land of Egypt a desolation in the middle of the countries that are desolate. Her cities among the cities that are laid waste will be a desolation forty years. I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries.”
13 “For Hashem says: “At the end of forty years I will gather the Egyptians from the peoples where they were scattered. 14 I will reverse the captivity of Egypt, and will cause them to return into the land of Pathros, into the land of their birth. They will be a lowly kingdom, there. 15 It will be the lowest of the kingdoms. It won’t lift itself up above the nations anymore. I will diminish them, so that they will no longer rule over the nations. 16 It will no longer be the confidence of the house of Israel, bringing iniquity to memory, when they turn to look after them. Then they will know that I am Hashem.”
17 It came to pass in the twenty-seventh year, in the first month, in the first day of the month, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyre. Every head was made bald, and every shoulder was worn; yet he had no wages, nor did his army, from Tyre, for the service that he had served against it. 19 Therefore, Hashem says: ‘Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon. He will carry off her multitude, take her plunder, and take her prey. That will be the wages for his army. 20 I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he served, because they worked for me,’ says Hashem.
21 “In that day I will cause a horn to sprout for the house of Israel, and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am Hashem.”
Today’s Haftarah Meditation:
It is clear that at some point, Hashem brings down Egypt. And we know from history this is true, and may be true again in the future. Their cruelty to G-d’s people brings eventual destruction. It reminds me of the times in Scripture where Hashem says, “If you bless Israel, you will be blessed. If you curse Israel, you will be cursed.” We need to support Israel in every way—through prayer, financial support, and positive speech. It is Hashem’s Land and His people. And someday we hope to return with His people to the Land to love and serve Him forever.
Today’s Haftarah Challenge:
How can we become a part of Israel? How can we be a part of the gathering back to the Land? Simple. Follow and obey His Commandments, support and love His people (and those around us), and join Israel spiritually. Ask Hashem to be a part of His Chosen. Believe, repent, forgive, and love Hashem with your whole heart, soul, and being. Study and follow His Word.
