The ten plagues. Well, seven of them to be more exact is what happens in this week’s portion. In reading over the portion this week the item that comes back to my mind is a small bit of symbolism that comes with the plagues. With the plagues this week Moses makes a motion or physical act to get them started. Throwing dust in the air, touching the water with his rod etc… there is an action Moses takes to start the plague.
Why the theater? Well there is certainly some showmanship towards the Egyptians to be sure.
By linking the show of power to a physical act the Torah is putting on a show… but nor for the Egyptians… it is for us. We, the Jewish people and the readers, are having a show put on for us to teach us the power of action. Only when we are willing to do can we harness that special power within us to do something great.
Every day we take action. How often do we realize that we (like Moses and everyone) are acting in the image of HaShem? I venture to guess not very often.
In the story of the plagues we get reminded that our actions are a part of HaShem’s impact to the world. And the impact of our actions every day is a part of that as well. The power shown this week is truly beyond human comprehension. However the ability and requirement to act is something we can understand very well. HaShem’s power is awe inspiring but we should not forget that we have our part that we must play to bring it out in the world and that is as true today as ever.
Shabbat Shalom
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