The Plague of Repetition

This week, we’re told over and over again that Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. As if Moses’ job wasn’t hard enough, his shyness and Pharaoh’s refusal to comply without G!d sending plagues added obstacles and waiting time to the already tense situation. Pharaoh seems convinced that his magicians can reproduce the plagues, but eventually they are no longer able to mimic these terrible punishments. If you pay attention (besides the hint given in scripture), each plague attacks an Egyptian deity. G!d strategically proves his power over Pharaoh and the Egyptian nation.

This week, Parashat Va’eira takes us through many iterations of the same thing:

-Moses goes to Pharaoh saying, “Let my people go!” (from G!d)

-Pharaoh says NO! (we often read that his heart has been hardened)

-Moses (through G!d) brings a plague on Egypt

-Sometimes Pharaoh’s court magicians can replicate the plague, sometimes they try unsuccessfully

-Pharaoh and the land of Egypt suffer, so Pharaoh asks Moses to stop the plague with promises that he will let the Hebrew people go

-Moses prays and asks G!d to end the plague

-Pharaoh changes his mind (often with hardened heart)

Next week we’ll read about the remaining plagues. This is the second parsha in the book of Exodus, the compelling story of our people that is repeated each year at the Seder, the story many of us can quote by heart, the story we often identify with during hard times. We made it through difficult times, and G!d protected us and let Pharaoh know who was ultimately the victor. These familiar stories leave us hopeful and remind us of G!d’s ultimate redemption.