General Overview<\/strong>: In this week's reading, Va'era<\/em>, Pharaoh refuses to allow the Israelites to leave Egypt, even after Aaron exhibits miraculous powers, transforming his staff into a serpent. The first seven plagues strike Egypt: Blood, Frogs, Lice, Wild Beasts, Pestilence, Boils, and Fiery Hail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First Aliyah<\/a>: This week's portion opens with G\u2011d's response to Moses (continuation from the end of last week's reading). G\u2011d<\/a> told Moses that He revealed Himself to the Patriarchs and established with them a covenant to give them the land of Canaan. And now the time has arrived to fulfill His promises. G\u2011d told Moses to tell the Israelites that He has heard their cries, and He will now deliver them from Egypt and bring them to the Promised Land. Moses relayed the message, but their unbearable workload prevented them from accepting his words. G\u2011d then told Moses to instruct Pharaoh to send the Israelites from his land. Moses protested: \"If the children of Israel did not listen to me, how then will Pharaoh listen to me? I have a speech impediment?\" (G\u2011d's answer below in the Third Aliyah.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Second Aliyah<\/a>: The Torah takes a brief interlude and traces the lineage of Moses and Aaron, listing their family trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third Aliyah<\/a>: G\u2011d tells Moses to go speak to Pharaoh, and Aaron should serve as his spokesman. G\u2011d informed him that He will harden Pharaoh's heart and he will refuse to release the Israelites. At that point G\u2011d will \"multiply His wonders\" in Egypt, until the Egyptians will recognize that G\u2011d is the L-rd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fourth Aliyah<\/a>: Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh. As per G\u2011d's instructions, Aaron cast his staff on the ground, and it turned into a serpent. When Pharaoh's magicians did the same with their staffs, Aaron's staff swallowed theirs. Pharaoh remained unimpressed\u2014and so the plagues commenced. Plague One: Aaron smote the Nile with his staff. The river and all the waters in Egypt turned into blood, and all the fish perished. Plague Two: Aaron stretched his staff upon the Nile and droves of frogs emerged. They covered the land, entered all the houses, even the ovens and kneading bowls. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and begged them to pray to G\u2011d to remove the plague, after which he would release the Israelites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fifth Aliyah<\/a>: Moses prayed to G\u2011d, and the frogs all died. Egypt reeked from the odor of rotting frogs, and Pharaoh reneged on his promise. Plague Three: Aaron smote the earth with his staff, and swarms of lice attacked Egypt, covering man and beast. Even Pharaoh's magicians were amazed by this, and informed Pharaoh that this is the \"finger of G\u2011d.\" Plague Four: G\u2011d dispatched Moses to warn Pharaoh that his land will be infested by a mixture of noxious animals. Only the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, would be spared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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