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Vaeira "and the frogs came up and covered the Land of Egypt" Frogs - Among the various deities of ancient Egypt was one with a female figure with the head of a frog. As frogs are known for rapid multiplication and large numbers the image of a frog was used in early Egyptian hieroglyphics to denote the number 100,000. This idol was the patron of the midwives and protected the childbearers. It was often used as an amulet during birth. Pharaoh, who had desired to destroy the Jewish people through enlisting the midwives to kill the Jewish children as they were born, was punished by the frogs, the Egyptian patron of midwives. The Malbim focuses on the Egyptians worship of the Nile. The plague of frogs came during the day to show Pharaoh and his servants Hashem's power. The first plague of blood showed how Hashem could affect and change their deity by making the river into blood. The second plague of frogs showed how the river could be used to serve and fulfil Hashem's will. When He so desired, the deity which they worshipped and from which they derived their sustenance, became a source of destruction and punishment. The exact translation of the above is "and the frog came up," in the singular. Rashi explains, based on the Gemara, that originally there was one frog but as the Egyptian hit it, it would split into many more. If hitting the frog caused it to multiply, common sense would seem to say , "Stop!!! Do not hit it any more and no more frogs will come." Unfortunately, at a time of anger, one does not listen to reason. The more the Egyptian struck the frogs the faster they multiplied and the harder the Egyptians hit them. This cycle of anger creating more anger occurred not only in Egypt but is characteristic of all quarrels and arguments whenever or wherever they may be. A wealthy Jew made a special trip from California to consult the previous Lubavitcher Rebbe, R' Yoseph Yitzchak Schneerson, about a major business venture. After listening carefully, the Rebbe advised him to take a specific course of action. As the Rebbe continued the discussion concerning the fellow's personal life he soon realised that there were many areas in which the businessman and his family could improve their performance of Mitzvos and learning of Torah. The Rebbe urged the man to change his ways. "Rebbe, you just don't understand," replied the fellow. "While your ideas are very nice and maybe right, they are just not practical in the circumstances I find my self." "I do not understand you," said the Rebbe. "You travel three thousand miles to ask my advice on a business venture and are willing to accept it even though I am far from a businessman. But when it comes to keeping Mitzvos properly and finding time to learn Torah, the areas in which I, my father, grandfather and ancestors specialised, you are not willing to listen to me." |
