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G-d reveals Himself to Moses. Employing
the “four expressions of redemption,” He promises to
take out the Children of Israel from Egypt, deliver them
from their enslavement, redeem them and acquire them as
His own chosen people at Mount Sinai; He will then bring
them to the Land He promised to the Patriarchs as their
eternal heritage. Moses and
Aaron repeatedly come before Pharaoh to demand in the
name of G-d, “Let My people go, so that they may serve
Me in the wilderness.” Pharaoh repeatedly refuses.
Aaron’s staff turns into a snake and swallows the magic
sticks of the Egyptian sorcerers. G-d then sends a
series of plagues upon the Egyptians.
The waters of the Nile turn to blood;
swarms of frogs overrun the land; lice infest all men
and beasts. Hordes of wild animals invade the cities, a
pestilence kills the domestic animals, painful boils
afflict the Egyptians. For the seventh plague, fire and
ice combine to descend from the skies as a devastating
hail. Still, “the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he
would not let the children of Israel go; as G-d had said
to Moses.”
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