Parashah Roundup: Va'era 5768

by Steve Brizel

God's Various Names as Explained to Moshe

R. Elchanan Samet demonstrates how different Divine Names relate to numerous Divine Promises: link

R. Shlomo Riskin discusses the different Divine Names as they were explained to Moshe Rabbeinu: link

Moshe and Aharon's Roles

R. Michael Rosensweig explores the development of Moshe Rabbeinu as the leader of the Jewish People, the unsurpassed Navi and the means for Matan Torah, Kabalas HaTorah and the first Baal HaMesorah of Torah SheBaal Peh: link

R. Asher Brander and R. Shayah Greenwald show us how Moshe's struggle with a speech impediment is one reason why Moshe is Moshe Rabbeinu: link 1, link 2

R. Aharon Lichtenstein examines the dual roles of Moshe Rabbeinu and Aharon HaKohen: link

The Torah Teminah, as prepared by R. Eliezer Kwass, discusses whether Moshe Rabbeinnu and Aharon HaKohen were equals: link

R. Avigdor Nebenzal examines the role of family in one's successes and tribulations: link

R. Yaakov Horowitz underscores the fact that Moshe and Aharon were rewarded for their efforts as well as their accomplishments: link

Moshe and Pharaoh and the Ten Plagues

R. Shlomo Wolbe zt"l demonstrates why Pharoah had to free the Jewish People solely to acknowledge the Divine Command to do so: link (DOC)

R. Yaakov Medan explores how Moshe warned Pharaoh about the Plagues link

R. Yitzchak Etshalom examines apparent inconsistences among the Plagues in terms of an educational process: link

R. Efraim Buchwald examines the consequences of other instances of God's hardening the hearts of the enemies of the Jewish People: link

The Purpose of the Ten Plagues

R. Ezra Bick explains the effect of the Ten Plagues on both the Jewish People and the Egyptians: link

R. Zev Leff shows how the Ten Plagues demonstrated God's control over nature: link

R. Yissachar Frand explicates how we learn Hakaras HaTov from its effect on the Nile and why the Egyptians refused to accept the consequences of the Plagues: link

R. Jonathan Sacks, via a close reading of the verses setting forth the Plagues, underscores how God employed the Plagues as a means of dispelling the pagan myths of Egypt: link

Dr. Meir Rappeld explores possible means of solving a difficulty in Rashi's commentary to the Plague of Hail (Shemos 9:14 s.v. Es Kol Magefosai): link

R. Moshe Lichtenstein examines the severity and sequencing of the Plagues and relates them to the Haftarah: link