Parshat Va'eira
In this week's portion Moses returns to Egypt and with Aaron, his older brother, they approach Pharaoh to demand that he let the Israelites go free. Pharaoh easily brushes off Moses' request this first time. In response, God sends the plagues. This has two important effects. 1) It demonstrates to Pharaoh that God is more powerful than Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods and 2) As the video points out, it demonstrates to the Israelites that God will fight for God's people.
Each of the plagues directly attack a different Egyptian god. You see, the Egyptians were polytheists. That means they believe in many gods, unlike the Israelites who believed in only one God. Each plague was a specific attack on the Egyptians' belief in idolatry. The first plague, for example, attacked Hapi, the god of the Nile River. The Nile was the most important and sole source of water in Egypt for people, animals and crops. Having it turn to blood truly struck at the heart of the Egyptians' existence. Without water it is impossible to live. To see how each of the following nine plagues attacked an Egyptian god, click here.
With each successful plague, the Egyptians became less confident in their power and the Israelites became more confident in theirs. It is this change in power that gives the Israelites the confidence to leave Egypt and slavery behind. The Israelites believe in themselves because God is fighting for them so fiercely. Sometimes it takes someone fighting for us to make us believe in ourselves.
FAMILY DISCUSSION
Discuss a time when you felt powerless and someone helped you feel stronger.
Each of the plagues directly attack a different Egyptian god. You see, the Egyptians were polytheists. That means they believe in many gods, unlike the Israelites who believed in only one God. Each plague was a specific attack on the Egyptians' belief in idolatry. The first plague, for example, attacked Hapi, the god of the Nile River. The Nile was the most important and sole source of water in Egypt for people, animals and crops. Having it turn to blood truly struck at the heart of the Egyptians' existence. Without water it is impossible to live. To see how each of the following nine plagues attacked an Egyptian god, click here.
With each successful plague, the Egyptians became less confident in their power and the Israelites became more confident in theirs. It is this change in power that gives the Israelites the confidence to leave Egypt and slavery behind. The Israelites believe in themselves because God is fighting for them so fiercely. Sometimes it takes someone fighting for us to make us believe in ourselves.
FAMILY DISCUSSION
Discuss a time when you felt powerless and someone helped you feel stronger.