G-d then gave specific instructions to Moses and Aaron regarding how to speak to Pharaoh.
How to Talk to Pharaoh
וַיֹּאמֶר ה' אֶל מֹשֶׁה רְאֵה נְתַתִּיךָ אֱלֹקִים לְפַרְעֹה וגו':
(שמות ז:א)
G-d said to Moses, “Observe! I have made you master over Pharaoh.”
Exodus 7:1
The purpose of Moses’ respectful yet forceful speeches to
Pharaoh was to break the forces of evil when their powers were strongest.
Similarly, there are times in our lives when our inner
“Pharaohs,” i.e., our animal drives, seem to have the upper hand. At such
times, the best way to overcome these drives is to channel our inner “Moses”
and rage against them, insult them, and humiliate them.
The same is true regarding our mission to oppose negativity in
the world at large. Of course, we must always convey G‑d’s message in a
pleasant and peaceful way, just as G‑d commanded Moses to address Pharaoh
respectfully. But at the same time, we must approach our “Pharaohs” fearlessly
and forcefully. If we remain true to G‑d’s message, we can break the power of
darkness and help bring G‑d’s redemptive light to the world.1
