1)

What is the definition of a Mofes?

1.

Refer to 7:3:3. (Also refer to 4:17:2.1:1 and its notes.)

2)

What is the definition of a "Tanin"?

1.

Rashi: "Tanin" is a snake (or a viper - The Living Torah). 1

2.

Seforno (to 8:8): "Tanin" is a crocodile. 2


1

Sifsei Chachamim: [It can refer to a snake] on land; and a sea-serpent (a crocodile) in the sea. See Bereishis 1:21. For other sources that consider "Nachash" and "Tanin" equivalent, compare to 7:9:3:1, 7:9:4:1, and 7:9:5:1**.

2

Also see 7:9:3:2 and 7:9:4:4. (Some say also "Tzefarde'a" is a crocodile; refer to 7:26:1:1 and 7:27:1:2.) See Oznayim la'Torah as to why Pharaoh is compared specifically to a sea-creature - and that also serves as an additional reason as to why he was ultimately drowned in the sea.

3)

Whose staff did Hashem instruct Aharon to take for this Mofes?

1.

Ibn Ezra: Aharon's staff and that of Moshe 1 are one and the same. 2

2.

Ha'amek Davar (citing other Midrashim) 3 : It was Aharon's staff that now turned into a Tanin, whereas Moshe's staff had turned into a Nachash (in 4:3). 4


1

Despite the fact that the Torah refers to it as the staff of Aharon.

2

See also Ba'al ha'Turim to 7:12.

3

Oznayim la'Torah: This is also the opinion of the Zohar.

4

See also Oznayim la'Torah to 7:10.

4)

Why did the staff turn specifically into a snake?

1.

Targum Yonasan: It was a prediction that the whole world was destined to hear the cries of the Egyptians when Hashem will break them, just as the whole world heard the screams of the snake (in Gan Eden) when Hashem cut off its hands and legs.

2.

Da'as Zekenim: Because Pharaoh was vain, and therefore became known as 'the great Tanin;' and because, just as a snake twists and turns as it moves along, so too, did Pharaoh twist and turn. 1

3.

Rosh (to 6:3): Pharaoh is called a snake - "ha'Tanim ha'Gadol" (Yechezkel 29:3). 'You made yourself like a snake, and swallowed twelve Matos (tribes) - you will eventually expel them, and I will return you to Tohu va'Vohu (nothingness) - just as I turned the snake back into a staff.

4.

Oznayim la'Torah: It was Moshe's staff that turned into a crocodile (a sea-serpent), which is the translation of 'Tanin' -- because Pharaoh bore the title 'ha'Tanin ha'Gadol." 2

5.

Maharal: Refer to 7:9:6.


1

See also Chizkuni and Ba'al ha'Turim.

5)

Moshe performed three Osos (signs) before Bnei Yisrael (see 4:2-9 and 4:30). Why was it that before Pharaoh, he was to perform just one?

1.

Maharal #1 (Gevuros Hashem beg. Ch. 32, p. 121): In front of Am Yisrael, Moshe was to perform all three signs, to help them reach full Emunah. 1 Pharaoh, on the other hand, was not going to believe in any event! It was sufficient to perform one sign (for he had requested it). 2

2.

Maharal #2 (ibid. Ch. 27, p. 110): The three signs represent three stages in Hashem's carrying out justice against man. 3 The first sign came to instill fear - and fear would be sufficient for Pharaoh at that point in time (for if the Egyptians were frightened by the Tanin, they ought to fear Hashem, who had created it!). Ultimately, the Egyptians would be taught the other two lessons the hard way. 4


1

Refer to 4:3:3.2.

2

Maharal implies that this event (which our Pasuk calls a Mofes) was a repetition of one of the three signs (called Osos) that Moshe had been given. Later on (in Gevuros Hashem) however, Maharal draws a distinction between an Os and a Mofes. Refer to 4:17:2.1:1 and its notes.

3

Refer to 4:3:3.1:2. When Hashem exacts punishment upon man, a) He first instills fear, b) then He strikes him, c) - ultimately with a death-blow.

4

They would be stricken by the Makos; and dealt a death-blow at the Yam Suf.

6)

Granted that Moshe only needed to perform one of the three signs (of Shemos 4:2-9) before Pharaoh (see the preceding question, 7:9:5), why was it specifically this sign -- that the staff would become a snake?

1.

Maharal #1 (Gevuros Hashem Ch. 27, p. 110): Refer to 7:9:5:2.

2.

Maharal #2 (Gevuros Hashem beg. Ch. 32, p. 121, explaining the Midrash): The snake of Bereishis was cursed with ten curses; 1 this would hint to Pharaoh that he would be hit with ten Makos.

3.

Maharal #3 (ibid.): A Rasha is like a dog; he is despised by all (i.e. he is far removed from reality). One strikes a dog with a stick; a stick is used to force those who are unwanted to keep their distance. (Thus, the sign chosen to perform before Pharaoh, was the one that involved a Mateh.)

4.

Maharal #4 (ibid.): (Evil) kingdoms kill with a whisper (i.e. they first imprison, and then easily get rid of their opponents without publicity); so too, a snake hisses and kills. Also, just as a snake winds a crooked path, so too may a king choose any path, demolishing whatever is in his way. 2

5.

Maharal (ibid., p. 122): Afterwards, the snake turned back into a staff. This reflects what would happen to Pharaoh! Every time Moshe and Aharon left his presence, he would rant and rave, 'If that Ben Amram comes back, I will kill him, crucify him, burn him up!' Yet the moment Moshe entered, Pharaoh became mute as a stick.


1

Maharal cites the Midrash; and adds that if Chavah received ten curses (Eruvin 100b), certainly the snake received no less!

2

Thus, the evil Pharaoh himself was akin to a snake.

QUESTIONS ON RASHI

7)

Rashi writes: "[Give for yourselves] a Mofes (a wonder)! - A sign, demonstrating that He Who has sent you has 'Tzorech'!" What is meant by "Tzorech"?

1.

Gur Aryeh: Tzorech means "power and ability" (as in Targum to Devarim 32:17). Pharaoh demanded proof that Hashem was powerful enough that he should obey Him.

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