II-3 Bo Locust Fly From Here
Consider the centuries of control over education and literature imposed by the Catholic Church with its lists of banned books and censorship, methods of inquisition and torment? Even well-balanced, intelligent people were persecuted if they did not subscribe to the Square World Theorem or submit to the Papal authority. In comparison to Medieval Europe, Egypt was a small pea-patch over which the Pharaoh's scepter held sway over life and death -
Or did it?
Moses appears, demanding release of the Israelites to worship their God. The social structure is in direct opposition of Pharoah's with an invisible God with a cryptic name, "I am whoever I choose to be," and a religion that is democratic without hierarchy. The education of each child is as important as that of any priest.. Anyone can approach God with a sacrifice, even foreigners. Human sacrifice is forbidden; infanticide is an anathema, as the blood of every living creature is sacred to God.
Pharaoh demands obeisance to man. Moses insists on acknowledgement of God. Pharaoh sees only the immediate: the loss of chealp labor. Moses predicts the loss of the future cash crops with consequential disasters of famine. Pharaoh sees himself as powerful; but Moses sees the infinite might of the unseen God.
Could Pharaoh escape the plague of locusts? Only if he humbled himself and made teshuvah. Like many who relish control-relinquishing control usually comes through loss of control rather than wisdom of repentence.
Moses stands before Pharaoh with a contract in his hand on behalf of every Israelite. Rabbi Pinchas Winston writes of the four languages of redenmption and the seven terms of promise:
"Vehotzaisy--I will lead you out (of Egypt); vehitzalty--I will deliver you (from any type of servitude); vega'alty--I will redeem you valakachty--I will take you (as My people). (Shemos Rabbah 6:5)
...However, the rabbis also speak about "seven terms of promise," which include the four terms of redemption and which add:
vehayissi--I will be (your G-d) vehaivaisy--I will bring you (to the land) venotatti--I will give (the land to you) "
Rabbi Pinchas Winston, Torah.org, Perceptions, Vaera: Freedom-Speak 5759 Ex 6:6-8
Moses understands his role, not as the Big Cheese on Top, but as the emisssary, presenting the terms of a contractual relationship. When the Israelites depart, they are not becoming a liberated group of anarchists. They are exchanging rulers and social systems, from a human dictatorship to a democracy with tort law, where the law supersede human authority and
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