Parsha Stumpers - Something to Think About: Parshas Va'eira

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פרשת וארא

Parsha Stumpers

By: Daniel Listhaus

(6:12) This week's Parsha contains one of the ten Kal V'chomers found throughout Tanach. The Kal V'chomer seems to be that Moshe said to Hashem, “If B'nei Yisroel won't listen to me, then certainly Phroah will refuse to listen!” The question is that the Torah told us earlier that the reason B'nei Yisroel didn't listen was because they were under stress and hard work. Certainly these concerns did not apply to Pharoah. So what was the Kal V'chomer?

Rashi (6:13) writes that because Moshe said “I am of blocked lips”, Hashem required that Aharon be just as vital as the mouthpiece of Moshe. How could that have been the cause if Aharon had already taken this role in last week's parsha?

(6:25) Rashi writes that one of Yisro’s names came from the fact that he used to prepare Avoda Zarrah. How could we make fun of who Yisro was before he became a geir?

(Rashi 7:12) Why did Aharon’s stick have to turn back from snake to stick before swallowing the magicians’ staffs?

Rashi says that Moshe didn't bring the מכה of דם or צפרדעים because since the Nile had protected him, it would not be proper for Moshe to hit the Nile. How did the river protect him? If anything, didn't the basket protect him from the river?

How far does Hakaras Hatov go? Aharon too benefited from the water and land – for bathing and walking on? Must one even have hakaras hatov for the ground for producing food?

(7:17) Rashi writes that Hashem struck the Nile first before the Egyptians because they worshiped the Nile. Why even give any chashivus to the Nile? Just strike the Egyptians and they will realize on their own that the Nile has no power?

(Rashi 7:19) What is the chidush in saying that even the water in wooden and stone vessels turned to blood?

Rashi stresses the fact that the frogs were croaking. What is so significant about the croak of the frog? (I mean the sound that it makes, not that when the frogs “croaked” they were left on the land as opposed to the ערב which were removed so that the Egyptians wouldn't benefit from the hides.)

Rashi brings the Medrash which describes that initially only one frog came out of the river, but every time they hit it, more frogs would burst forth. Didn't the Mitzryim start to realize after a few times that they were only causing a bigger disaster? Why didn't they just stop hitting the frogs!!??

The Passuk says that after Moshe and Aharon brought the frogs, the Egyptian Magicians were able to make frogs come as well. How was everyone able to tell that those frogs were created by the magicians? Was there a difference in the type of frogs from Moshe and Aharon, and that of the magicians?

Why did Pharoah ask that Moshe daven today for the צפרדעים to be removed tomorrow?

The Torah (8:24) states Moshe's concern of shechting the karbon. If they would have Pharoah's permission, why be concerned?

Why only by the frogs does it say that Moshe screamed out to Hashem to daven?

Rashi (9:10) writes that the animals of those who feared Hashem died during the makka (plague) of shechin (boils). Who were the “ones who feared Hashem” and why did the animals deserve to die during the boils if they were saved during the other makkaos?

A “Poem/Riddle on the Parsha” By Daniel Listhaus :

In פרק ז Hashem commands,

“Tell Aharon to take his staff in his hand.

כל מקוה מימיהם shall turn to blood so red

Maybe then Pharoah will get the message through his head.”

However, Pharoah, so foolish and stubborn

Refused to listen to Moshe and Aharon

Instead, he just laughed in their face

thinking, 'Ha! I will put them in their place.'

“Turn water into blood!” He commanded his חרטומים

Who did just that right in front of 'em

So, Pharoah's heart continued to grow harder and harder

The question, though, remains: From where did the חרטומים get their water?

Parsha Stumpers - Something to Think About