Summary of The Weekly Torah Reading:
Parshas Vaera
Note: The Shabbos Torah Reading is divided into 7 sections. Each section
is called an Aliya [literally: Go up] since for each Aliya, one person
"goes up" to make a bracha [blessing] on the Torah Reading.
1st Aliya:
The year is 2448 and Moshe had unsuccessfully confronted Pharaoh.
The situation had gotten worse, not better, and Hashem (G-d) reassured Moshe that in
fact the redemption was about to begin. The 4 statements of redemption are
stated for which we have the 4 cups of wine at the Passover Seder.
2nd & 3rd Aliyot:
Moshe's Yichus (lineage) is established. He is 80 years old and Aharon
is 83.
4th Aliya:
Moshe performed the miracle of the "staff turning to a serpent" and
performed the first and second plagues.
5th Aliya:
Moshe performed the third plague and forewarned Pharaoh about the
fourth.
6th Aliya:
The fourth, fifth, and sixth plagues were performed, and Moshe
forewarned Pharaoh regarding the seventh.
7th Aliya:
The seventh plague was performed and Pharaoh "hardens his heart"
and refused to let the Jews go.
Parsha Summary by Rabbi Aron Tendler
