PASSOVER:

Freedom, Pharaoh, and the Plagues of Tomorrow

By Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb

Let's have some rachmonis (mercy) on Pharaoh. He tried hard – that's what all his friends say. He stuck to his guns, believed in his enterprise, and did alright by many Egyptians. Sure, the system he stood for is flawed – but who’s not impressed by those public works projects? Pharaoh did what he thought was right, in his day. And if he didn’t act on what others called "the big picture," can we blame him?

Take energy: he kept the status quo limping along, and the people of Mitzrayim still appreciate the cheap oil for our gas-guzzlers. Against him are those so-called "prophets" screaming about the "plagues" we’ll suffer if we don't change. Yet the Pharaohs in power say that Egypt would go down the tubes if we had to use less energy. I don’t know quite who to believe, but the Pharaohs have done alright by me – and I just don’t know about these Moses, Aaron, and Miriam types…

So let’s not rush to judgment. Really, Pharaoh's not such a bad guy. Under his leadership, Mitzrayim has a lot of potential – and as the most powerful nation on Earth, isn’t it entitled to use up lots of the Earth's resources?! Plus, those Hebrew environmentalists are a "special interest group," and you know what happens when you start giving in…

We know that our blessed Mitzrayim way of life is strong – so we’d better not let some fringe group of radical prophets get in the way of things. I say we stay the course. Anyway, what’s the worst that could happen?...

The Worst That Could Happen:
Ten Plagues, Coming Soon, If We Fail To Curb Global Climate Change

 

1. Pollution everywhere, and not a drop to drink (blood in rivers)
2. Ecosystems going "out of whack" (affecting frogs, and other living things)
3. Huge dislocations in daily life (think lice, but much much worse)
4. Species extinction (beasts no more)
5. Loss of reliable food supply (cattle plague)
6. Spread of tropical diseases (boils and other globalizing ailments)
7. Changes in weather patterns (hail being just one example)
8. Crop failure (locusts and other agricultural nightmares)
9. Rising sea levels pushing whole islands underwater (darkness)
10. Millions of environmental refugees fueling unrest (killing of firstborn)

Ten Things You Can Do To Help Avoid These Plagues:

 

1. Drive less
2. Drive smarter (better mileage car, fully-inflated tires, tune-ups)
3. Turn your thermostat down (in winter) and up (in summer)
4. Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them
5. Install timers and light-detectors for your lighting needs
6. Buy Energy Star, ultra-efficient appliances and electronics
7. Switch to green power where possible; install wind & solar units
8. Organize!
9. Educate!
10. Vote your conscience; vote for the future