Summary

Pharaoh refuses to allow the Israelites to worship God, even after the first seven plagues and against the advice of his advisors. God sends the eighth plague of locusts that destroy much of Egypt. Pharaoh asks Moses and Aaron to stop the plague and asks their forgiveness. The plague ends, but Pharaoh once again changes his mind. The ninth plague covers Egypt with darkness.

God tells Moses that the next plague will be the last. Moses explains to Pharaoh that the firstborn of Egypt will be die during this plague.

Moses and Aaron go to the Israelites and explain the laws of the first Passover. They are to slaughter and roast a lamb, smear its blood on their doorposts. As they eat the cooked meal they are to remember the tenth plague and how their exodus from Egypt. Moses explains that in the future this will be a seven day period of time when they will eat only unleavened bread. Parents are also obligated to explain this story to their children.

The Israelites do all that they are told, and in the middle of the night all of the firstborn Egyptian children are struck down. Pharaoh tells Moses and Aaron that the Israelites can leave. The Hebrews rush in their preparations, taking their dough before it has risen.

Torah Portion in English

1) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh. For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, 2) and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am the Lord.” 3) So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go that they may worship Me. 4) For if you refuse to let My people go, tomorrow I will bring locusts on your territory. 5) They shall cover the surface of the land, so that no one will be able to see the land. They shall devour the surviving remnant that was left to you after the hail; and they shall eat away all your trees that grow in the field. 6) Moreover, they shall fill your palaces and the houses of all your courtiers and of all the Egyptians—something that neither your fathers nor fathers’ fathers have seen from the day they appeared on earth to this day.’” With that he turned and left Pharaoh’s presence.

7) Pharaoh’s courtiers said to him, “How long shall this one be a snare to us? Let the men go to worship the Lord their God! Are you not yet aware that Egypt is lost?” 8) So Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh and he said to them, “Go, worship the Lord your God! Who are the ones to go?” 9) Moses replied, “We will all go, young and old: we will go with our sons and daughters, our flocks and herds; for we must observe the Lord‘s festival.” 10) But he said to them, “The Lord be with you the same as I mean to let your children go with you! Clearly, you are bent on mischief. 11) No! You menfolk go and worship the Lord, since that is what you want.” And they were expelled from Pharaoh’s presence.

Getting to Know my Parasha

What Does my Parasha Say?

1. What are the Ten Plagues?
2. What is the unleavened bread?
3. Why do parents need to teach their children the story?
4. Why is the blood spread on the doorposts?
5. On what day of the month were the Israelites commanded to select the lamb for sacrifice?
6. According to the parasha, how many years had the Israelites lived in Egypt?
7. How many Israelites left Egypt?