Daily Chumash & Rashi – Parshas Shemos Chamishi: Moshe argues against being appointed as the savior (Thursday, 19th Teves)

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Chamishi

  • Gather the elders of the Jewish people: Hashem instructed Moshe to gather the elders of Israel and tell them that the G-d of your fathers have appeared to me and He told me “I have remembered that which is being done to you in Mitzrayim, and I shall take you out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of Canaan, a land of milk and honey.” Hashem told Moshe that the elders will listen to his voice.
  • The message to Pharaoh: Hashem instructed Moshe that he and the elders should come all together to the king of Egypt and tell him that Hashem the G-d of the Hebrews has come to you, and you request to leave Egypt for a three-day journey to the desert to bring sacrifices to Him. Now, says Hashem, I know that he will not adhere to your request to allow you to go, without a mighty hand [striking him].
  • Hashem promises miracles and wealth: Hashem told Moshe: I will strike and smite Egypt with all of My wonders, and only afterwards will he send you. I will grant favor of the nation in eyes of the Egyptians and they will not leave empty handed. Each woman will request from her neighbor silver and gold vessels, and clothing, and you will place them on your children and leave Mitzrayim.
  1. Moshe argues that the Jewish people will not believe him:
  • Moshe replied to Hashem saying that the Jewish people will not believe him, and not listen to him, as they will claim that Hashem did not appear to him.
  • Moshe’s staff turns into a snake: Hashem then asked Moshe “What is that which you are holding in your hand?” Moshe replied “It is a staff.” Hashem told Moshe to throw it on the ground, and so he did, and it turned into a snake. Moshe fled from the snake [out of fright]. Hashem told Moshe to grab it by the tail, and it turned back into a staff. Hashem stated that this was done in order so the Jewish people believe that Hashem appeared to you.
  • Moshe’s hand turns white: Hashem further told Moshe to place his hand in his bosom and he did so. When he took it out, he saw that his hand was white like snow. Hashem told Moshe to reinsert his hand, and he did so, and when he removed it again it returned back to normal. Hashem concluded that if the Jewish people will not believe the first sign then they will believe the second sign.
  • A third sign-Turning water into blood: Hashem further stated, if they will not listen to the first two signs then you shall take water from the river and pour it on the ground and behold it will turn into blood.
  1. Moshe argues against being appointed as messenger:
  2. Moshe argues that he can’t speak: Moshe replied to Hashem that he cannot do the job as he has speech disorders and thus cannot articulate his words properly. Hashem responded that He is the one who grants the ability to speak, or to be mute, or deaf, or smart, or blind.
  3. Hashem appoints Aaron to join Moshe in the mission: Moshe again asked Hashem to send a different person, and not him. Hashem became angry with Moshe and told him that his brother Aaron knows to speak, and he has come out to meet him, and he will rejoice in seeing you. Hashem told Moshe that he should speak to Aaron and tell him what to say and I will be with both of your mouths, and teach you both what to do. Aaron will do the speaking to the nation for you and you will be to him a master. Hashem then told Moshe to take the staff with him with which the miracles will be performed.

Q&A on Rashi

Chapter 3

Q1: Who are “the elders of Israel” (אֶת־זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל)?

A: They are the designated leaders who participate in communal leadership meetings. It cannot mean “all the old men,” because it would be impossible for Moshe to gather all elderly men from a population of 600,000.

 

Q2: Why will the elders heed Moshe’ voice (וְשָֽׁמְעוּ לְקֹלֶךָ)?

A: Because Moshe will use the phrase “פָּקֹד פָּקַדְתִּי” (“I have indeed remembered you”), which was handed down as a sign of redemption from Jacob and Joseph. Both foretold that this expression would mark the time of deliverance.

 

Q3: Why is the word הָעִבְרִיִּים written with an extra י?

A: It alludes to the Ten Plagues that will strike Egypt.

 

Q4: What does לֹֽא־יִתֵּן mean in verse 19?

A: It means “he will not allow,” as Onkelos translates: לָא יִשְׁבּוֹק. Though the verb נתן usually means “to give,” here it conveys “to permit.”

 

Q5: What is the meaning of וְנִצַּלְתֶּם (“you will empty out” Egypt)?

A: It means to drain or empty, as Onkelos translates: וּתְרוֹקְנוּן. Rashi explains that the נ is part of the root נצל, forming a “heavy” (piel) pattern like דִּבּוּר or כִּפּוּר.

 

Chapter 4

Q6: Why is מַה זֶה written as one word (מַזֶּה) in verse 2?

A: To hint that Moshe deserved punishment “from this” staff for suspecting Israel unjustly. The plain meaning is conversational: “What is this in your hand?”

 

Q7: Why did the staff turn into a snake (וַיְהִי לְנָחָשׁ)?

A: To show Moshe that he had spoken slander against Israel by saying, “They will not believe me,” adopting the craft of the primordial serpent.

 

Q8: Why was Moshe’ hand stricken with tzara’at?

A: As punishment for speaking negatively about Israel. This parallels Miriam’s punishment for slandering Moshe.

 

Q9: What does the repetition of וְהָיוּ in verse 9 teach?

A: That the water will not turn into blood until it reaches the dry ground—not while in Moshe’ hand.

 

Q10: How long did God speak to Moshe at the burning bush?

A: Seven days. Rashi derives this from the words מִתְּמוֹל, שִׁלְשֹׁם, and גַּם, which imply multiple days.

 

Q11: What is the meaning of בְּיַד־תִּשְׁלָֽח in verse 13?

A: “Whom You usually send”—referring to Aaron. Alternatively, “someone else whom You wish to send.”

 

Q12: What was the consequence of God’s anger (וַיִּֽחַר־אַף) at Moshe?

A: Moshe lost the priesthood. Initially, it was intended for him, but now Aaron would be the priest, and Moshe would remain a Levite.

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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