출애굽기 7:25의 유대 사상

The seven days of consecration which Aaron and his sons spent in isolation, away from their respective families, prior to assuming their priestly functions, were to prepare them spiritually for their task. While they had to remain on the threshold, they were neither to enter the sanctuary nor to leave the holy courtyard. This clearly demonstrated that these seven days were preparatory to their sacred task, but that until the eighth day their preparations would not be complete. Symbolically, these seven days represented the entire life cycle. Just as life on this earth is viewed as an antechamber to the world to come, (Rabbi Yaakov Avot 4,21) so Aaron and sons were to view themselves as dedicating themselves for their lives' destiny. Wherever and whenever we encounter the number seven, it is to remind us that perfection is capable of being achieved at the end of a cycle of seven. Even when we observe a period of mourning, we do so for a seven day period. We have learned this from G'd Himself, who had observed seven days of mourning for mankind when He brought the deluge upon the earth. (Genesis 7,4. see commentary of Rabbi Zeyra in Moed Katan 3,5) He who fails to observe the seven days of preparation, is as if he were already mourning his own demise during the seven days that should have prepared him to attain his goal, his purpose.

Plead with the Lord (Exodus 8:4): Even though each plague had a measure of seven days — since they expounded so (Shemot Rabbah 9:12) from the verse And seven days were completed, after the Lord had smitten the Nile — it was so that it not continue and increase. For about the Nile that became blood, there is no doubt that the Nile does not stand still, and new water constantly comes [through it]. But all the water that came [through it] became blood until [the end of] seven days. And after seven days, it was not like this. And likewise the frogs, the Nile continued to swarm with more frogs for seven days and no more. However, had it not been for Moses' prayer, the ones that had come to Egypt would not have left, but would have rather stayed even after the seven days. And likewise, the locusts that were there (Exodus 10:14) would have remained even after the seven days. Hence the prayer removed them (Exodus 10:18). And so too, the mixture of wild animals that were there (Exodus 8:20) would have remained, but were removed by the prayer (Exodus 8:26). And the hail as well. The hail that was already in the air and in the clouds would not have been interrupted had it not been for Moses' prayer (Exodus 9:33). But Moses' prayer caused it, that even the hail that was in the air was removed, as it is stated: no [rain] came pouring down upon the earth. So does it seem.