January 25, 2025 · ה״פשת
A PEEK AT THE PARSHA
This week’s parsha, Va’era, continues the story of the Jewish people in Mitzrayim (Egypt). Hashem speaks to Moshe Rabbeinu and reminds him of the special promise He made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov. Hashem tells Moshe that He will keep His promise to take the Jewish people out of slavery, bring them to freedom, and give them the land of Israel.
Hashem tells Moshe to go back to Pharaoh and tell him to let Bnei Yisrael go. But Pharaoh's heart is hard, and he refuses to listen. He doesn’t believe in Hashem and doesn’t want to let the Jewish people leave.
Hashem tells Moshe and his brother Aharon that He will bring miracles and punishments to show Pharaoh and all of Egypt that He is the one true God.
ONE BIG IDEA
Moshe was the main person who brought about the ten makot. The first 3 makot - Dam, Tzefardei’a, and Kinim - however, were led by Aharon. The reason is that the first 3 makot were connected to the Nile and the dirt in Egypt. Moshe couldn’t hurt the Nile or the ground because he had Hakarat Hatov (gratitude) for them. The Nile saved Moshe when he was a baby, and the ground covered the Egyptian that Moshe killed to save a Jewish slave. If Moshe showed gratitude to water and dirt - things that don’t even have feelings - how much more so do we need to show hakarat hatov to people who help us, like our parents, teachers, and friends!?
The first miracle Moshe and Aharon show Pharaoh is turning Aharon’s staff into a snake. But Pharaoh's magicians also turn their staffs into snakes. However, Aharon’s staff swallows their staffs, showing that Hashem’s power is greater.
Pharaoh still refuses to listen, so Hashem begins to send the ten makot (plagues). In this parsha, we learn about the first seven makot:
1. Dam (Blood): Hashem turns the Nile to blood, and the Egyptians cannot drink the water.
2. Tzefardei’a (Frogs): Frogs swarm all over Egypt, jumping into people’s houses and food.
3. Kinim (Lice): Tiny lice cover people and animals.
4. Arov (Wild Animals): Wild animals run through Egypt, destroying everything in their path.
5. Dever (Animal Disease): Many of the Egyptians’ animals get sick and die.
6. Shchin (Boils): Painful boils cover the Egyptians’ skin.
7. Barad (Hail): Huge hailstones mixed with fire fall from the sky, destroying crops and buildings.
Even though each makah is worse than the one before, Pharaoh’s heart remains hard, and he refuses to let the Jewish people go. Hashem is showing everyone that He is in control of the world and is protecting Bnei Yisrael.
Candle-lighting: 4:45pm
Havdalah: 5:44pm
allah: 5:25pm
PARSHA STATS DID YOU KNOW…?
Mitzvot………………………….. 0
Lines in the Torah ..............222 (16th most)
Pesukim .............................121 (20th most)
Words ................................1748 (15th most)
Letters................................6701 (17th most)
Year(s)................................2447-2448
(Source: OU Torah Tidbits)
The Torah doesn’t mention the Flu or Strep Throat or COVID or RSV, but it does mention…LICE!!!! So how can we not talk about lice???? Did you know that lice:
• Prefer clean hair to dirty hair
• Move very quickly (even though we can’t easily see them move from place to place)
• Are bloodsuckers
• Don’t transfer from pets (dog lice need dog blood, cat lice need cat blood, people lice need people blood)
CHECKLIST
To be filled out after shabbat and brought in Monday.
Called someone to wish them a “Shabbat Shalom”
Went to shul
Participated in Hadlakat Nerot/Kiddush/ Hamotzi/Birkat Hamazon
Sang zemirot/songs
Wore Shabbat clothing
Helped prepare our home for Shabbat
Full Name: ____________________________
Class: __________________________________
Parent Signature: _________________________
QUESTIONS
1. True or False: A cat can get lice from a person.
2. Which 3 plagues are NOT mentioned in this parsha?
3. Over how many years did this parsha take place?
4. “What Else” question: What other thing’s (not a person) feelings do we care about at Shabbat meals?
5. What Jewish book that we read twice a year (only once in Israel) mentions this parsha a lot?