2021/5782
In Parashat Va’Eira, we start to see miracles occurring which begin the process of Hashem taking the Jews out of Egypt. But before the ten Makkot - the “main meal,” - we get three smaller signs performed for just Paroh and his sorcerers. Why does Hashem bother sending Moshe on this seemingly unimportant task instead of just going straight to the ten Makkot?
Rashi comments that these מופתים were to prove that there was a power sending Moshe to save the Jews (Shemot 7:9 Rashi s.v. “Mofeit”). However, that is difficult to understand, because later Rashi writes that the Egyptians only admitted that the Makkot were from Hashem and that Moshe wasn’t a sorcerer by Kinim, the third Makkah, a long time after this original incident (8:15 Rashi s.v. “Etzba Elokim Hi”). Ramban expands that they were compelled to acknowledge Hashem because He created new matter at Kinim which they could nut replicate, but the previous Makkot and מופתים they could replicate (8:15 Ramban s.v. “VaYomeru HaChartumim”). So the question remains: if these מופתים didn’t prove Hashem was helping Moshe Rabbeinu redeem the Jews, what was their purpose?
The מופתים were not about proving Hashem’s existence; he is always easy to find for one who looks. They were about enhancing Moshe Rabbeinu’s self-esteem and proving his worth to Bnei Yisrael. Rashi comments that Hashem commands Moshe to take his staff to perform these miracles, because Hashem is letting him change nature at His behest (4:17 Rashi s.v. “ Asher Ta’aseh Bo”). Sforno expands saying that these מופתים are showing Bnei Yisrael their new leader (7:9 Sforno s.v. “Tenu Lachem Mofeit”).
The lesson to learn from this story is that the greatest success stories start with humble beginnings. If Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest human, had to slowly grow into his role as the savior of the Jews, it shows that we can also take things slowly until we realize our potential. Nothing comes easy in life, but through hard work, nothing is impossible. Sam Hinkie, the former general manager for the Philadelphia 76ers, once said: “Trust the process”, and maybe Moshe Rabbeinu heard that from him, too.