Va’eira
Exodus 6:2-9:35
This week Nehemia Gordon, Keith Johnson, and Jono Vandor discuss the Torah portion of Vaeira covering Exodus 6:2-9:35. At face value, the first sentence of Vaeira appears to contradict other Scripture but several common-sense explanations clear things up. We learn why Moses’ lineage was important—particularly to the original audience—and that his “why me?” attitude was a sign of greatness. Gordon reveals a key verse for understanding the month of Aviv and the significance of its place on the Hebrew calendar. He also reads a poetic passage from the Portion that contains God’s name and where the rhyme of the divine is evident. As the trio examines each plague, Gordon translates the three Hebrew words for what was done to Pharaoh’s heart. Johnson speculates if the livestock taken to a place of shelter—a “migdal-oz”—hints at the mixed multitude and wonders if any Egyptians took shelter in the wondrous redemption to be found in Goshen.
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January 18, 2023 at 9:44 am /
I believe the answer on the three days journey can be found in Exodus 3:15-18 where Yehovah is telling Moses to assemble the elders and go to the king of Egypt and tell him, Yehovah, the God of the Hebrews, manifested Himself to us. Now therefore, let us go a distance of three days into the wilderness to sacrifice to Yehovah our God.
March 1, 2018 at 2:27 am /
My son pointed out something that I can’t reconcile and it isn’t discussed specifically in this Torah Pearls portion. Exodus 9:18,23,24
What does the original Hebrew say about the ‘fire’ and hail.
In every translation except the NIV and NLT (that I checked), it states that God sent hail and fire.
The NIV says hail and “lightning flashed down to the ground”.
The KJV goes so far as to say “the fire ran along upon the ground”.
The NLT says “the lightning flashed toward the earth”.
So, was it lightning or fire? Nehemiah said something about maybe it was comets. That sounds more like fire and brimstone.