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Passover: A modern version
Continued from page 2.
Moses countered that the least
would include sacrifice of lambs
which was anathema to Egyptian
religious precepts and might incite
the Egyptian populace to violence.
Impressed by the first three
plagues, Pharaoh finally yielded to
the desert site, but with the strict
proviso that the Israelites “not go
very far away.” This verbalized
Pharaoh’s true fear that the three-
day excursion was but a pretext for
a general exodus, and that once
out of Egyptian territory, the Israel
ites would not return. Precious
slave labor for Egypt’s ambitious
building programs would then be
lost.
Court sources note that Moses
clearly sidestepped the issue of
returning to Egypt following the
feast. Instead, he simply assured
tion of locusts would cover the
land, devouring any remnant the
hail had not already destroyed. With
out waiting for a reply, Moses
walked out.
Frightened royal advisers now
sought a compromise that would
save face, yet still satisfy Moses. A
messenger summoned Moses back
Left with no choice, Moses called
forth the locust invasion. Agricul
tural sources are only now tabulat
ing the damage, but one reliable
survey reported, “There was not
left any green thing in the trees...or
the fields.” More detailed assess
ments were impossible because the
locust plague was followed by an
that the lice infestation would be
terminated. But in view of Pha
raoh’s previous broken promise,
Moses warned that the monarch
should not this time be “deceitful.”
Observers predicted it, and in
deed no sooner did the lice vanish,
than permission for the desert rit
ual was again rescinded. Moses
returned to court and in quick suc
cession brought plagues of live
stock disease, boils and then hail.
So much destruction now cover
ed the land, that Moses was sum
moned for an emergency round of
negotiations. This conference
marked a turning point, with the
hitherto mocking Pharoah finally
conceding the power of Moses’
God. Court sources reported that
Pharoah’s mood was grim as he
confessed, “I have sinned...I and
my people are wicked.” Without
prolonged debate, even as an un
ending barrage of hailstones bat
tered the palace. Pharaoh declared,
"1 will let you go.”
But true to form, as soon as the
hail stopped, Pharaoh reneged a
third time. An angry Moses now
returned to the palace and warned,
“Let my people go” or an infesta-
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to the palace for another round of
intensive negotiations. Pharaoh’s
new offer conceded the desert site,
but stipulated that only Israelite
men could participate. The idea
was that with women and children
left behind, the Israelites would
surely return, and the national
slave force retained.
Moses totally rejected this pro
position, declaring, “We must go
with our old and our young, with
our sons and our daughters.” Pha
raoh might have agreed, but now
Moses added a new demand that
“the flocks and herds go with.”
Pharaoh’s suspicion that the desert
festivity was merely a pretext for a
general exodus was now greater
than ever. Accusing Moses of har-
boringevil intentions. Pharaoh held
firm: male adults only. At that,
negotiations were abruptly broken
off, and Moses w as literally escort
ed out of the palace.
eerie round-the-clock darkness
lasting three full days. This latest
crisis precipitated the final nego
tiating session.
A “final offer” was placed on the
table: the Children of Israel—men
as well as families—could journey
three days into the desert for their
religious ceremony. But under no
circumstances could the goats and
cattle go along. As before, Moses
refused all compromise. He ex
plained the desert ceremony was
unprecedented, and there was no
way to predict exactly how' many
animals God would command them
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Anne & Harry Friedman
WEIGHT
WATCHERS
Continued next page.
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Warmest
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Passover Greetings
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PAGE 3P THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE April 18, 1986