Va'era 5775

We all know the acronym for the 10 plagues of Detzach, Adash, Be'achav (groups of 3, 3, and 4). Why is the grouping as such? The Kli Yakar explains that each group disproved Pharaoh's claims against Hashem. The first 3 plagues were to show that there is a G-d above everything: Hashem turned the Nile, their god, into blood. He then brought frogs from that very river who sanctified His name by leaping into furnaces. With lice, the magicians said "it is the finger of G-d." The next 3 plagues showed Hashem's Divine Providence over individuals by just attacking the Egyptians and their cattle. The last 4 plagues showed that there is only one G-d. Hashem blocked out the sun, which was considered a god, with locusts and darkness. The goat was also considered a god as well as the firstborn of all gods; Hashem killed the firstborns throughout Egypt with the last plague.

Va'era 5773

Hashem punishes the evildoers of the world by means of "Middah Kineged Middah"- measure for measure. The Midrash Tanchuma goes through every single plague and explains how Hashem punished the Egyptians measure for measure. For example, the 4th plague of wild animals was brought upon the Egyptians because they had ordered the Jews to bring back lions and bears from the wild in order to be used for sport. The wild animals were also completely removed from Egypt so that the Egyptians got no benefit from their skins.

Va'era 5772

In the first aliyah of Va'era, Moshe tries to talk to Bnei Yisroel, but they don't listen to him because of "anguish of spirit and hard labor" (6:9). When Hashem tells Moshe to speak to Pharaoh, Moshe claims if Bnei Yisroel won't listen to him because he's not a good speaker, then surely Pharaoh won't! Didn't the previous posuk just mention that they didn't listen because of other factors? Rav Avraham Rivlin, the Mashgiach of Kerem B'Yavneh, explains that this is showing the true humility of Moshe. He puts the blame on himself rather than accusing the people.