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Why did Moshe repeatedly trust Pharaoh's broken promises instead of demanding permanent release? The shiur explains that Moshe transitioned from prophet to king-judge, implementing the Brit Bein Habesarim's promise to punish oppressors. Each betrayal justified another plague, allowing the Jewish people through Moshe to actively restore their dignity by exacting justice rather than merely escaping.
This shiur addresses a fundamental question that has puzzled many: why did Moshe Rabbeinu, despite his intelligence and political acumen, repeatedly trust Pharaoh's promises to release the Jewish people, only to have Pharaoh renege each time? Why didn't Moshe simply tell Pharaoh that the plagues would only end after the Jews had safely left Egypt? The lecture begins by examining several textual difficulties in Parshas Vaera, including the distinction between 'os' (sign) and 'mofes' (wonder), why Aharon was needed for certain miracles when Moshe had performed them alone previously, and why Moshe was instructed to speak respectfully to Pharaoh only at this point.
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Parshas Vaera, Shemos 6:1-9:35
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