Va'era (Hebrew: וָאֵרָא, "And I appeared") is the second Torah portion of Exodus, covering Exodus 6:2–9:35. It tells of God's renewed promise to Moses, the genealogy of Moses and Aaron, and the first seven plagues on Egypt.
God's Promise Renewed
God says to Moses: "I am the Lord (YHWH). I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by My name YHWH was I not known to them" (Exodus 6:2–3). God promises to redeem Israel with "an outstretched arm and with great judgments" (Exodus 6:6), to take them as His people, and to bring them to the land He swore to the patriarchs. Moses tells the Israelites, but "they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage" (Exodus 6:9). God sends Moses to Pharaoh again; Moses says: "Behold, the children of Israel have not hearkened unto me; how then shall Pharaoh hear me?" (Exodus 6:12). God appoints Aaron as Moses' spokesman.
Genealogy of Moses and Aaron
The parasha lists the genealogies of Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, tracing to Moses and Aaron. Aaron marries Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab; she bears Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
The Plagues (1–7)
God sends Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh. Each time, Pharaoh's heart is hardened. The first seven plagues:
- Blood (דָּם): Aaron strikes the Nile with his rod; all water in Egypt turns to blood. The magicians replicate it. Pharaoh's heart is hardened.
- Frogs (צְפַרְדְּעִים): Frogs cover the land. The magicians replicate it. Pharaoh asks Moses to pray; the frogs die, but Pharaoh hardens his heart.
- Lice/Gnats (כִּנִּים): Aaron strikes the dust; it becomes lice. The magicians cannot replicate: "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19). Pharaoh's heart is hardened.
- Flies (עָרוֹב): Swarms of flies fill Egypt, but not Goshen. Pharaoh offers to let them sacrifice in Egypt; Moses refuses. Pharaoh agrees to let them go into the wilderness but not far. Moses prays; the flies depart, but Pharaoh hardens his heart.
- Pestilence (דֶּבֶר): All Egyptian livestock die; Israelite livestock are spared. Pharaoh's heart is hardened.
- Boils (שְׁחִין): Moses and Aaron throw soot toward heaven; boils break out on man and beast. The magicians cannot stand before Moses. Pharaoh's heart is hardened.
- Hail (בָּרָד): Moses stretches his rod toward heaven; thunder, hail, and fire rain down. Pharaoh says: "The Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked" (Exodus 9:27) and asks Moses to pray. The hail stops, but Pharaoh hardens his heart again.
Major themes
- Divine power vs. Pharaoh: Each plague demonstrates God's supremacy over Egyptian gods and nature.
- Hardened heart: Pharaoh's repeated refusal despite the plagues.
- Redemption: God's commitment to redeem Israel with a mighty hand.
- Distinction between Israel and Egypt: The plagues afflict only Egypt, not Goshen.
Rashi
Rashi explains that God's name YHWH signifies His faithfulness to fulfill promises, whereas El Shaddai signified His power to the patriarchs. On the plagues, Rashi notes that the magicians' inability to produce lice proved that the plagues were divine, not magical.
Ramban
Ramban explains that the plagues were designed to demonstrate God's existence and power to the Egyptians, Israelites, and the world. Each plague targeted a specific Egyptian deity.
Midrashic interpretations
- Shemot Rabbah 9:1: The plagues were a judgment on the Egyptian gods.
- Shemot Rabbah 10:1: The blood plague was because Pharaoh bathed in the Nile (a god).
- Shemot Rabbah 11:1: The frogs were the first plague that affected Pharaoh's own palace.
- Tanhuma, Va'era 14: The hail contained fire and ice, a miracle within a miracle.
Haftarah
The haftarah (Ezekiel 28:25 – 29:21) prophesies the destruction of Egypt and the restoration of Israel. God says: "I will make the land of Egypt desolate" (Ezekiel 29:9) and "I will cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth" (Ezekiel 29:21).
References
- Exodus 6:2 – 9:35 (Masoretic Text)
- Rashi, Commentary on the Torah
- Ramban, Commentary on the Torah
- Ibn Ezra, Commentary on the Torah
- Shemot Rabbah (Midrash)
- Tanhuma, Va'era
- The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus (Nahum M. Sarna, 1991)
- Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary (JPS, 2001)
- Sefaria.org, "Va'era" (parasha)
Scholars and rabbis have long debated the nuances of this text. The medieval commentators Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, and Sforno each offer distinct perspectives, ranging from grammatical analysis to theological reflection. Modern academic scholarship adds historical and literary context, comparing the text with ancient Near Eastern parallels.
In contemporary study, this material is explored through the lenses of halakha, aggadah, and Jewish thought. Synagogues and study groups worldwide engage with these texts weekly, finding new relevance in ancient words. The enduring vitality of this parasha lies in its ability to speak to every generation.
For a full Hebrew text and parallel translations, consult Sefaria.org. The JPS Torah Commentary series provides scholarly annotation. Contributions to expand this article are welcome.
These questions are designed to guide individual study and group discussion. Teachers and students are encouraged to add their own.