The Book of Exodus tells us the what – ten devastating plagues – but it's the Midrash, those ancient rabbinic interpretations, that delve into the how.
Specifically, let's look at Shemot Rabbah, a collection of interpretations on the Book of Exodus. It offers some fascinating insights into the conversation between God and Moses before the Exodus.
The text opens with God's instruction to Moses: "I have set you as god to Pharaoh… Go exact retribution [hipara] from him." It sounds like a straightforward command, right? But Moses, ever the humble leader, needs a little more guidance. "How will I bring upon him ten plagues?" he asks.
And here's where it gets really interesting. God replies, "You shall take in your hand this staff" (Exodus 4:17). But this wasn’t just any staff. According to Rabbi Yehuda, this staff weighed a whopping forty se'a (a dry measure of volume), and it was made of sapphire! Imagine the presence that thing commanded! But the real kicker? The ten plagues were etched on it in acronym form: detzakh adash be’aḥav.
That’s right, an ancient plague cheat-sheet! Detzakh adash be’aḥav is a mnemonic device, an acronym using the first letters of each plague: dam (blood), tzefarde’a (frogs), kinnim (lice) – detzakh; arov (wild beasts), dever (pestilence), shekhin (boils) – adash; barad (hail), arbeh (locusts), ḥoshekh (darkness), bekhorot (firstborn) – be’aḥav. God tells Moses: "In this order, bring the plagues upon him."
It's almost like God gave Moses a divine to-do list, etched in sapphire, no less!
But what about Aaron? He plays a crucial role too, right? The Midrash addresses this, quoting Exodus 7:2: "You shall speak everything that I command you; and Aaron your brother will speak to Pharaoh." Shemot Rabbah compares their roles to that of a lecturer and an amora. An amora was kind of like a translator or repeater of the lecturer's words, making them accessible to the wider audience. After the lecturer stated an excerpt of the lecture that was heard only by the amora, the amora would repeat it in loud voice and occasionally elaborate upon it for the benefit of the audience. So, Moses receives the divine instruction, and Aaron helps communicate it effectively to Pharaoh.
The Midrash concludes with the powerful statement: "Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders" (Exodus 11:10). It wasn't just one or the other; it was a joint effort, a partnership ordained by God.
So, what does this all mean? It's a reminder that even the most powerful figures in our tradition, like Moses, relied on guidance and collaboration. It shows us that divine instructions often come with a need for interpretation and communication. And perhaps most importantly, it highlights the power of partnership in achieving seemingly impossible goals. Next time you face a daunting task, remember Moses, his sapphire staff, and the vital role of his brother Aaron. Maybe your "staff" is a good friend, a mentor, or even just a well-organized to-do list!