Thinking Torah Blog

Rabbi Whinston encourages you to read over a summary of this week's Torah portion from the URJ and contemplate for yourselves.

Va-eira, וָאֵרָא, I (God) Appeared [to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]

God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am the Eternal." - Exodus 6:2

TORAH, Exodus 6:2−9:35

SUMMARY

• Despite God's message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites' spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. (6:2-13)

• The genealogy of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and their descendants is recorded. (6:14-25)

• Moses and Aaron perform a miracle with a snake and relate to Pharaoh God's message to let the Israelites leave Egypt. (7:8-13)

• The first seven plagues occur. God hardens Pharaoh's heart, and Pharaoh rescinds each offer to let the Israelites go. (7:14-9:35)