in which God proves himself to Moses, Israelites and Egyptians through multiple disasters and miracles; Pharaoh's heart (probably ego) does not permit him to relent, and all Egyptian firstborns die while the Israelites are spared; in the meantime, Egyptians lend their valuables to the Israelites, the month of the events (Nisan) is designated by God as the first month of the year (why, how) and the festival of Pesach is instituted on the 14th of Nisan, when a lamb is sacrificed to God through a communal meal; the Pharaoh chases Moses, Aaron and the Israelites out of the country, after 430 years of their sojourn there, and asks for their blessing; the Israelites leave with their valuables, thus draining Egypt of wealth, and unleavened dough; the rules for Passover and tefillin are written. .
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| Hardened Heart by Judith Prays
How does a heart get hardened?
Is it to blame?
Does a hardened heart hurt?
Or is it hardened against the pain?
Are these questions all in vain?
How do you handle a hardened heart?
Especially your own?
Do you massage it with gentle words?
Or do you scold it?
Do you stubbornly ignore it?
Or try to mold it?
Or, maybe, follow its merciless lead,
Unafraid of making other hearts bleed?
How do you handle a hardened heart?
The question is tough,
The stakes are high.
You, probably, have no answer.
Sorry, neither do I.
by Nina Prays
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