History

Last week's Parshah concluded with the epochal exchange between Moses and G-d over the mystery of human suffering, in which Moses protested, "My G-d, why have You done evil to this people?" The opening verses of this week's Parsha contain -- we assume -- ...

What do we know of Pharaoh, the evil king of Egypt who played a key role in our formation as a nation, from the enslavement to the Exodus?

This class discusses the unique roles of Moshe vs. Aaron, leaders of the Jewish people, as expressed in the way they spoke to Pharaoh.

The words have stopped because there's nothing left to be said. There is not yet forgiveness or acceptance for what has been said and done, nor, perhaps, will there ever be. But there is something else -- something that you have never felt before, at leas...

Is there any significance to the number of plagues? Why the need for all 10?

Over the course of history, our people experienced many miracles, but the only miracle we deliberately recall every day is the Exodus from Egypt. Why is this one different?

The ten plagues were not sent just to dismantle Egypt's infrastructure. They were powerful forces that provided the Jews with strategies for spiritual rehabilitation...

Each of the 10 Plagues is another destructive trait for us to overcome and eradicate.

Why did Moses insist on the Jews serving G-d in the desert?

Rabbi Eliezer says that each Plague actually consisted of four Plagues. Rabbi Akiva says not four, but five. Sitting at the Seder table, reciting from the wine-stained Haggadah, we hurry on towards the Matza, the bitter herbs and the meal. But what are th...