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Let My People Go - Moses Becomes Leader
Contributed by brenda McManus

  • TOP HAGGADAHS FOR 2023

As Moses is shepherding his flock, he comes upon a burning bush in which God appears to him and instructs him to go to Pharaoh and demand: "Let My people go, so that they may serve Me." Moses objects, citing a speech defect he acquired while in the palace, and so Moses' brother, Aaron, is appointed to serve as his spokesman.

In Egypt, Moses and Aaron assemble the elders of Israel to tell them that the time of their redemption has come. The people believe; but Pharaoh refuses to let them go and even intensifies the suffering of Israel. He increases the burden of labor on his Hebrew slaves, commanding their taskmasters to cease bringing the Israelites straw to make the bricks. Now, they must go to the fields to collect the straw themselves, but maintain the same quota of brick production.

Moses can no longer bear the pain of his brethren; he turns to God saying, "Why have You done evil to this people?" God promises that the redemption is close at hand, "Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand shall he let them go, and with a strong hand shall he drive them out of his land."

God then reveals Himself to Moses, employing the "four expressions of redemption:"

.....He promises to take out the Children of Israel from Egypt

.....He promises to deliver them from their enslavement

.....He promises to redeem them and acquire them as His own chosen people at Mount Sinai

.....He will then bring them to the Land He promised to the Patriarchs as their eternal heritage

Moses and Aaron repeatedly come before Pharaoh to demand in the name of God, "Let My people go, so that they may serve Me in the wilderness." Pharaoh repeatedly refuses. To show the power of God, Aaron's staff turns into a snake. He is challenged by the Egyptian sorcerers who turn their own magic sticks into snakes. Aaron's snake swallows the snakes of the Egyptian sorcerers.

Pharaoh still refuses to let the Jews go. Moses warns him that God will smite Egypt. Pharaoh remains impervious to thier pleas and does not believe in the power of God.

God begins to send a series of plagues upon the Egyptians. In the throes of each plague, Pharaoh promises to let the Children of Israel go; but he reneges the moment the affliction is removed.

1) Aaron strikes the Nile, the waters turn to blood;
2) Swarms of frogs overrun the land;
3) Lice infest all men and beasts. Still, Pharaoh remains stubborn;
4) Hordes of wild animals invade the cities,
5) A pestilence kills the domestic animals,
6) Painful boils afflict the Egyptians.
7) Fire and ice combine to descend from the skies as a devastating hail. Still, "the heart of Pharaoh was hardened and he would not let the children of Israel go; as God had said to Moses."
haggadah Section: -- Exodus Story
Source: Adapted from Chabbad.org

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