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Table Talk Vaera

By: Mrs. Bracha Krohn


In this week’s parsha, Pharoah makes a conscious effort to ignore the awesome display of power that G-d brings to Egypt via Moshe and Aaron. Right after the plague of blood, in Perek 7 Pasuk 23 we are told that Pharoah “turned away and went into his house and did not pay attention (i.e. internalize) – literally, he did not “place/turn his heart” – to this plague.



What must Pharoah be thinking at this point?



Maybe a  little curiosity about the Jews’ G-d? A little fear for what lies ahead? A little respect for Moshe and Aharon?



But NO! He turns away and creates distance, so as not to be effected by all of this. He is stubborn and knows that he might be influenced, so he puts up a wall!



Have you ever watched someone refuse to be inspired, humbled, or changed? Have you ever put up that wall?



Rav Hirsch (on perek 5 pasuk 3) explains that there are three verbs for Pharoah’s heart being hardened: קשה, כבד and חזק – and each one is a little different:



קשה – “not to receive impressions, to let everything pass over…”



כבד – “one can receive impressions, but there can be a big gap between the impression and the moment one lets oneself be guided by this impression…difficult to move”



חזק – “consciously opposes any pliancy, any submission”



Why are we so stubborn? What is an example of a time this past week when YOU could have been more open to a new feeling or thought? Why weren’t you? Why wasn’t Pharoah?



Discuss and enjoy the conversation.


 

 

 

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