Darshan-Eleanor Weber Dickman
1 . ( 8:16-28 ) The fourth plague : Beasts .
2 . ( 9:1-7 ) The Fifth Plague : a disease affecting all the livestock of Egypt , but sparing the Israelites ‘ animals .
3 . ( 9:8-15 ) The Sixth Plague : Boils on man and beast .
4 . ( 9:16-21 ) Moses confronts Pharaoh and renews God ’ s demand : “ Let My people go to worship me ! ” Moses warns Pharaoh and the court about the seventh plague , Hail , which destroys crops ( except those in Goshen ).
5 . ( 9:22-35 ) Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and begs for relief . However , once the hail stops , he reneges on his promise .
“Because I am the Lord”
Questions:
1. Why did God cause the plagues instead of just letting the People go?
2. How does God clarify his names at the beginning of the Parsha?
Hints:
1. Chapter 8: (18) I will set apart the region of Goshen, where My people dwell, so that no swarms of insects shall be there, that you may know that I the Lord am in the midst of the land. 19 And I will make a distinction between My people and your people.
2. Chapter 9: (13) Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews: Let My people go to worship Me. (14) For this time I will send all My plagues upon your person, and your courtiers, and your people, in order that you may know that there is none like Me in all the world. (15) I could have stretched forth My hand and stricken you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been effaced from the earth. (16) Nevertheless I have spared you for this purpose: in order to show you My power, and in order that My fame may resound throughout the world.
3. Ramban contends that el Shaddai describes God when He performs miracles that do not openly disrupt the normal course of nature. [...] although in Genesis 15:7, God does reveal himself as HaShem.
4. Rashi explains that God is now revealing the true meaning of the name ― one who will fulfill His pledge to free Israel and bring them to the Land. The patriarchs had perfect faith that God would do so, but the patriarchs had not yet seen it because the time had not yet come.