Va’era Serpentine

We know that every word of the Torah is suffused with meaning and important lessons for us all. The early Parshios of Sefer Shemos—those that describe the Galus and Geulas Mitzrayim—seem to be even more so. Each Passuk, and each event that is described, can be understood on so many different levels, and can be instructional in every area of life. Although it is a tall task to access and appreciate all the various layers of meaning in the Parsha, we can use the Haftorah as an aid. If examined closely, the words of the Navi selected by Chazal to accompany a particular Sedra can help us understand the Parsha in new and deeper ways.

The Haftorah for Parshas Va’Era is taken from Sefer Yechezkel, and it seems to be immediately clear how these Pessukim are connected to the Parsha. The Navi tells us that Hashem spoke to him in the tenth year after Galus Yehoyachin and gave him clear instructions: “Sim Panecha Al Pharaoh Melech Mitzrayim V’Hinabeh Alav V’Al Mitzrayim Kula”. Pharaoh had goaded the Malchus of Yehuda into ignoring the taxes owed to Bavel, with the promise of military assistance if Nevuchadnetzar attacked, but when that eventuality arrived no help was forthcoming. These events led to the Churban, which Pharaoh and Mitzrayim now had a role in, and Yechezkel was told to inform Pharaoh of the impending punishment for his actions.

The similarities to the Sedra are quite clear. Parshas Va’Era speaks at length about the interactions between Moshe Rabbeinu and Pharoah, a theme which is prevalent in the Haftorah. In addition, the looming punishments described by the Navi resemble the Makos discussed in the Parsha. This being the case, it we can assume that a careful study of these Pessukim will bring us important insights into the Parshas HaShavua. As is often the case, we can access these messages if we pay attention not only to what the Navi says, but the way in which he says it.

Once the Navi is given his basic charge: “Sim Panecha Al Pharaoh Melech Mitzrayim V’Hinabeh Alav…” the Passuk tells us exactly what he should say. One of the interesting aspects of this Nevuah, as detailed in the Pessukim, is the way in which Yechezkel is told to refer to Pharoah.

The Passuk says: “Ko Amar Hahsem…Hinini Alecha Pharoah Melech Mitzrayim HaTanim HaGadol HaRovetz B’Soch Ye’arav l”. Besides addressing Pharaoh in terms of his role, Melech Mitzrayim, the Navi appends a title: “HaTanim HaGadol”, loosely translated as “the great serpent”.

In the next Passuk, the metaphor is extended: “V’Nasati HaChim B’Lichayich V’Hidbakti Digas Ye’orecha B’Kashkishosecha”. The Navi promises to put hooks in the jaws of Pharoah, and cause the fish of the river to cling to his scales, thusly hauling him from the river. This Passuk is clearly written in metaphor, but its intent is clear: Pharaoh will suffer for his actions, being violently extracted from his current reality. that said, it is important to understand the words used by the Navi.

Rashi, in explaining the words “HaTanim HaGadol” tells us that since the Nile represented the Gedulah of Mitzyaim, and provided all its sustenance, the Navi used the Mashal of a Tanin to refer to its leader and the Degas HaYeor, its fish, to refer to his subjects.

Radak takes this explanation a little further, noting that the word “Degas” is a “Shem Kollel”, which includes all fish, large to small. In using this word, the Navi is telling Pharoah that the entire gamut of his subjects, from the ministers and officers to common man, will be swept up in the destruction that was to follow.

The use of the word Tanim to describe Pharoah is somewhat understandable: the word conjures up the vision of a vicious creature, which would seem to be an apt description of this duplicitous ruler. What then of his people? Why are the described as fish? What is the connotation of this des