by Rabbi Yechezkel Fox

Pharaoh in Pajamas: The Physiognomy of the Fallen

After the plague of darkness, Pharaoh told Moshe that he didn’t want to see him any more. Moshe said, “True have you spoken. I shall never see your face again.” Ch.10/29

Nevertheless, we do find that they met again, during the night of the slaying of the first-born (see12/31). But this requires explanation, since Moshe was a man of truth, and his words were prophecy. Is it possible that he was wrong? continue reading

Sword and Bow

And I have given you Shechem – one (portion) more than your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and with my bow. Ch.48/8

After Shimon and Levi killed all the men in Shechem, the surrounding nations gathered to fight with Yaakov. Here Yaakov tells us that he single-handedly defeated them with his sword and bow. Rashi quotes the Sages that his sword refers to his wisdom, his bow was his prayer.

But how did the Sages know that these terms were not to be taken literally? Perhaps Yaakov was a mighty warrior, like Dovid HaMelech (King David) or Shimshon? continue reading