Pensamento Judaico sobre Êxodo 8:26

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.

Scripture tells us, according to the Version of Onkelos, that the Egyptians worshipped Aries, and therefore abstained from killing sheep, and held shepherds in contempt. Comp. “Behold we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians,” etc. (Exod. 8:26); “For every shepherd is an abomination to the Egyptians” (Gen. 46:34). Some sects among the Sabeans worshipped demons, and imagined that these assumed the form of goats, and called them therefore “goats” [se‘irim]. This worship was widespread. Comp. “And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto demons, after whom they have gone a whoring” (Lev. 17:7). For this reason those sects abstained from eating goats’ flesh. Most idolaters objected to killing cattle, holding this species of animals in great estimation. Therefore the people of Hodu [Indians] up to this day do not slaughter cattle even in those countries where other animals are slaughtered. In order to eradicate these false principles, the Law commands us to offer sacrifices only of these three kinds: “Ye shall bring your offering of the cattle [viz.], of the herd and of the flock” (Lev. 1:2). Thus the very act which is considered by the heathen as the greatest crime, is the means of approaching God, and obtaining His pardon for our sins. In this manner, evil principles, the diseases of the human soul, are cured by other principles which are diametrically opposite.