Parshat Vaeira: The Proper Lesson
by Rabbi Lobel

Before the Plague of Blood Moses was to approach Pharoah and tell him, “from this (the plague of blood) you should know that I am G-d.” (Exodus 7:17)

As the Ohr HaChaim (1696 - 1743) explains, G-d wanted this plague to demonstrate to Pharoah that G-d controls the world. The Egyptians worshiped the Nile because its water provided their sustenance; the believed the Nile was their god. (Tanchuma, Vaeira 13) By striking their “god”, G-d was saying, “The Nile does not give you sustenance. I control the Nile and I can give you water or turn it to blood.”

G-d was trying to teach Pharoah and the Egyptians that He controls nature. However, that was not the only lesson. As the Ohr HaChaim explains further, by demonstrating his power, G-d was also showing his mercy. A G-d powerful enough to turn the Nile to blood is powerful enough to take vengeance and destroy the Egyptians. Yet, He did not. G-d wanted to teach the Egyptians.

Despite the horrors of the plagues, G-d was continuously merciful and gave the Egyptians the opportunity to free the Hebrews.

The lesson for us is that even the Egyptians, while being reprimanded were shown mercy by not being destroyed. Despite everything they had done to the Hebrews, from enslavement to torture to infanticide, they were offered the chance to seek G-d’s compassion.

"I (G-d) do not desire in the death of the wicked, rather let him return from his ways and live." (Ezekiel 33:11) If G-d can show mercy to the wicked, imagine His patience and love for His “Am Segulah”, His cherished nation.