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VA'ERA 1.1 - THE TRAIT OF THE FROGS

I am sure many find it somewhat peculiar that the Torah relates to our forefathers in terms of animals. "A lion cub is Yehuda; Yisakhar is a strong boned donkey; Dan will be a serpent." 1 Our Sages take this one step further and suggest and maybe even obligate that we take upon ourselves certain traits of animals in our service of Hashem. The first law codified in Shulhan Arukh obligates us to strengthen ourselves as a lion. A teaching of Yehuda Ben Tema in Pirqe Avot advises us to be swift as a deer in doing the will of our Heavenly Father. 2 For an appreciation of these ideas one must familiarize himself with a teaching of R. Meir Leibush Ben Yechiel Michel Wisser - the Malbim - on the contrast in the formation between the creatures of the animal kingdom and that of Adam during the creative process.  Our Parasha introduces us to the formidable trait of Mesirout Nefesh exhibited by the frogs in their service of the Creator. We will learn of the benefits of arousing this comparable trait within us. Finally we will bring forth the idea that the apex of man includes the elevation and harmonization of all the traits of the animals and birds that are inherent within us.

THE FORMATION OF THE ANIMAL KINGDOM AND THAT OF MAN

The Malbim shares with us the underpinnings of these concepts. In the formation of each and every creature we are told that the Creator took from the particular dust (of Gan Eden) associated with that creature and used it in it's formation. "Hashem formed out of the dust of the ground every beast of the field and every bird of the sky...." In the creation of Adam (man) he gathered and included the dust associated with each and every creature in order to form him. "Hashem formed man from the dust that he used to create each particular creature.” 3

THE TRAITS OF CREATURES AND MAN'S SERVICE OF THE CREATOR

All energies and capabilities of all creatures are included within the Nefesh (animal soul) of Man. This explains why Shelomo Hamelekh admonishes the lazy one; while instructing him to go and see the ant, and see how industrious is his work ethic! 4 Ok, we can all agree that the ant is aggressive in completing his duties. But the lazy one can still ask; what does that have to do with me? The answer can be found in the earlier noted commentary of the Malbim.  All traits that exist within each creature are also to be found in man!  Since this trait of the ant is an integral part of the dust used in his formation, we (man) also have this trait that exists as part of the dust particles used in our formation! 5 Granted that certain individuals might be less apt in awakening certain traits, but all must realize that the traits do exist within his spiritual make up - though currently appearing dormant. Shelomo and the Sages are advising all - that these traits do exist and must be aroused from their slumber!

THE TRAITS OF THE FROG AND HIS CLARION CALL

In order to properly view the plague of Sefarde'im - frogs, it behooves us to examine some Rabbinic and Torah sources concerning the spiritual (dust of formation) of the frogs. In a contemporary commentary on Pereq Shira the author cites an earlier source 6 that asserts that during the great test of Abraham Avinu; as he was willing to enter the furnace of Nimrod rather than to succumb to idolatry, there were frogs who were willing to endanger themselves as well. They volunteered to bring water into the furnace and to quell this fire in the city of Kasdim. Furthermore, the introduction to Pereq Shirah tells us of a certain creature that when it lacks it's food source cries out to the Creator. In response,the frog voluntarily sacrifices itself to satisfy the hunger pains of the creature by putting itself into it's mouth to be eaten. 7 This trait of selflessness - to be willing to sacrifice itself is confirmed by the frogs in this week’s Parasha. The verse depicts this trait of Mesiroot Nefesh as it describes the extent as to where the frogs were willing to go to serve the Creator. "The river shall swarm with frogs...and (even) into your ovens!..." 8 To further appreciate the plague, we should be also be familiar with the clarion call of the frog. According to Pereq Shira an ancient text detailing the elements of creation’s praises of Hashem, the frog is consistently praising the Creator by mimicking our response to the Shema Yisrael. 9 They declare - Barukh Shem Kevod Malkhuto Le’olam Va’ed - Blessed be the Name associated with his Kingdom forever. The Zohar notes that their praise is a continuous one without interruption. 10  As the verse concludes - Le’olam Va’ed - forever and ever.

PAR'OH LEARNS WHO IS YHVH

We see that Par'oh denies the existence of YHVH from his response to Moshe. "Who is YHVH that I should heed his voice?" 11 It is apparent that the plague of frogs is to serve amongst the numerous responses that Hashem and Moshe desired to convey to Par’oh. Namely, "I am sending the frogs who consistently and continuously testify to my existence!". ...they (frogs) shall ascend and come into your palace and your bedroom and your bed..." At the conclusion of this plague I will not remove the source from your midst in Misrayim as I will do with all of the other plagues. The frogs will remain in the Nile as a lasting testament for you Par'oh to know who is Hashem? The verse reads "The frogs will depart from you and your houses...but in the river shall they remain." 12 This will serve as an opportunity for you to arouse the trait that is dormant within you and realize who I am! As they continuously proclaim from the river - Barukh Shem Kevod Malkhuto Le’olam Va’ed - Blessed be the name associated with his kingdom forever and ever.

THE UNIQUENESS OF THE PLAGUE OF FROGS

It is exclusive with the request of the removal of this plague that we find Moshe crying out to Hashem. At first glance he is apparently asking of Hashem that the frogs be removed from Misrayim. However, based on our idea that the frog actually served as a benefit in advancing the presence of Hashem in Misrayim one can provide an alternative explanation. The verse reads - “And Moshe cried concerning the words - Davar - or praise of Barukh Shem - of the frogs. 13 Namely, it pained Moshe to remove the frogs with their continuous clarion call announcing Hashem's kingdom from Misrayim! Hence this pain is expressed in the fact that Moshe cried in asking that they be removed. His only consolation was that they and their clarion call remain in the river of Egypt.

A LATER PAR'OH IS PUNISHED FOR IGNORING THIS MESSAGE

I would venture to say that this might be one reason why the Navi Yehezqel in our Haftarah reprimands Par'oh in no uncertain terms for once again having denied Hashem. The frogs were to remain in the Nile forever as a constant reminder of the existence of Hashem in Egypt. This was apparently ignored as the Prophet cites the claim of Par'oh, " Mine is my River, and I have made myself powerful." 14 Later on in the Pereq we see again the wrath of Hashem against Par'oh and Egypt regarding his supposed dominance over the Nile.” Behold I am bringing sword against you...they will know that I am Hashem because he said "It is my River and I have made it." 15

SALVATION FOR THOSE WHO AROUSE THE TRAIT OF THE FROG

During the first exile, the King of Bavel constructs a statue and attempts to force Hananya, Mishael and Azarya to bow to it or face death in a fiery furnace. They refuse to obey and and earn a miraculous salvation making them synonymous with Jewish self sacrifice. 16 The Talmud asserts that they were inspired by the frogs of Egypt. 17 It was their self sacrifice that propelled these water creatures to leave their natural environment to enter into the fire of the ovens. Realizing that they were also endowed with this same trait as the frogs, these prototypical righteous ones of Israel propelled themselves to do the same. We are told that in the future when man will harness these desirable traits of the animal kingdom in his service of Hashem, it will usher in a time when "The wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the goat, and the calf and the young lion...; and a little child shall lead them. 18 This is the prophecy of the messianic era. A time when mankind will witness a leader who will unify within himself as Adam prior to the downfall all the dust of the creatures and creation. 19 As it is written - On that day, the stock of Yishai that has remained standing shall become a standard to peoples. Nations shall seek his counsel and his abode shall be honored. 20

Shabbat Shalom

Victor Bibi   

Victor Bibi