Parashat Vaera is part of a unit of five parashot (Shemot-Yitro) describing the beginnings of Am Yisrael, the Exodus from Egypt, and the receiving of the Torah.
A close examination of the uses of different names of God in Bereishit and Shemot reveals a clear pattern, which helps us understand the four (or five) expressions of redemption in our parasha.
What is the significance of R. Yehuda's famous mnemonic of the ten plagues, Detzach, Adash, Be'achav? In this shiur, we will demonstrate how the warning issued before each of these three sets of plagues indicates the goal of the set.
In this sicha, we discuss a number of points that illustrate the greatness of Moshe Rabbeinu – his sensitivity, his prayer, and his efforts on behalf of the people of Israel. This greatness obligates us also as Yeshiva students who are immersed in the world of Torah.
The Torah tells us that Moshe was eighty years old when he spoke to Pharaoh, just before the plagues befell Egypt: “And Moshe was eighty years old, and Aharon – eighty three, when they spoke to Pharaoh” (Shemot 7:7). What was Moshe doing for eighty years, up until this point?
