This article was written by Yael Stochel, summer inchworm 2019
GrowTorah Core Value: Incubating Emunah
Lesson Title: Wonder of Wonders
Moshe doubts his role as Hashem's servant against Pharaoh, and Hashem reassures him and brings Aharon into the team. The first seven plagues are brought upon Egypt though Pharaoh refuses to free Bnei Israel. How does Hashem take control of the earth in this parasha? In what ways is Hashem still in control of the earth today?
(17) Thus says the LORD, “By this you shall know that I am the LORD.” See, I shall strike the water in the Nile with the rod that is in my hand, and it will be turned into blood;
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How do the makkot help prove that Hashem is the sole creator and controller of the world?
How do we see evidence of Hashem's control over the earth in our gardens?
- natural resources
- science as a means to appreciate Hashem
ה' הצדיק, it is Hashem who is righteous. During all of the plagues, the only one which resulted in Pharaoh acknowledging that G-d was righteous, hail was the only one. What prompted Pharaoh to make such a confession? When someone is at war with someone else and wants to liquidate him, he arranges to do this when his adversary does not suspect it, and he jumps him suddenly. Here, G-d, instead of bringing on the plague without warning, gives His creatures a chance to escape with their lives. He Himself urged them to take shelter.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
What do we learn about the middot of Hashem from the makkot?
- righteous
- compassion
למען תדע, "so that you will realise, etc." Moses told Pharaoh that he did not pray for Pharaoh in order that he should release the Israelites from bondage, he did not believe Pharaoh's assurances. The only reason he prayed was so that Pharaoh would acquire greater respect for the power of G'd.
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
What does Moshe need Pharaoh to understand?
How can we find similar faith in our garden?
- everything connects to Hashem
- seeing plants with awe
Living the Lesson
NEED TRANSLATION
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How can this verse from Tehillim be misunderstood?
- Hashem's connection to the earth
- humans as the earth's guardian
Are there any contradictions between the verse and the makkot?
- Hashem exercising control over natural world
GUIDING QUESTIONS:
How do we understand that the earth was given to humans?
What does that mean about our behavior towards the Earth both in and outside the garden?
- responsibility towards Hashem and the earth