The Ten Plagues
Are Locusts Really Kosher?

Are Locusts Really Kosher?

The Torah prohibits eating insects, referring to them as “an abomination”: All winged swarming things that walk on fours shall be an abomination for you. Leviticus 11:20 Given that the Torah defines insects as an abomination, it comes as...

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Locusts: Past, Present, and Future

Locusts: Past, Present, and Future

The eighth plague brought an unprecedented swarm of locusts into Egypt, a swarm that devoured every shred of grain and foliage that remained after the hail. The plague was so devastating that Pharaoh relented, openly repenting and begging...

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Does God Have a Finger?

Does God Have a Finger?

When Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh, his court magicians tried to refute their demand to release the Hebrews by mimicking their miraculous acts. This proved to be within the magicians’ abilities when they faced the rod-born serpent,...

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Free Will and Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart

Free Will and Pharaoh’s Hardened Heart

God sent Moses to demand that Pharaoh release the Hebrews from bondage, threatening that should the Egyptian king refuse, the country would suffer. So it seems incredibly unjust that God would harden Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 9:12),...

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How Many Plagues Were There?

How Many Plagues Were There?

Every schoolchild knows that Egypt was struck by ten plagues before the Hebrews were set free. But a different count is given in Psalms and several different options for enumerating the plagues are given during the Seder on Passover. ...

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The Portion of Pinchas

The Portion of Pinchas

Our portion picks up where last week’s left off, in the aftermath of a plague. Phineas is blessed by God for his actions and a new census of the people is taken. The brotherless daughters of Zelophehad appeal to Moses for a share in the...

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The Portion of Balak

The Portion of Balak

This week’s portion demonstrates the scope of the Israelites’ reputation during their desert travels. Balak, the king of Moab, hears what befell the Amorites when they stood up to God’s people and decides he does not want to meet a...

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