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Moses declares to Pharaoh, behold, God says, "at approximately midnight, I will enter Egypt. And all firstborn will die in Egypt, from the firstborn at Pharaoh's throne to the firstborn of slaves and captives, continuing with the firstborn of all animals" (Exodus 11:4-5).

Rashi (1040-1105; 11:4) explains that when Moses spoke the word of God to Pharaoh, he varied from God's exact statement. God proclaimed that "at exactly midnight, I will enter Egypt"; Moses said, "at approximately midnight, I will enter Egypt." The reason for the variance is that no one but God knows the exact time. If the Egyptians calculated that God was a few seconds early or a few seconds late, they could have declared Moses a false prophet. It was therefore necessary that Moses change the precise word of God.

After nine awesome plagues, each one occurring exactly as Moses had predicted, Moses was still afraid the Egyptians would use any deviation to deny God's provenance. Moses needed to ensure that every Egyptian, including Pharaoh, come to a complete recognition of God's sovereignty, even if it meant slightly altering God's word. This would ultimately create a sanctification of God's name (kiddush Hashem).

But is it possible some Egyptians would not have realized God was causing the 10th plague? The Egyptian magicians already recognized God's total control after the third plague. During the plague of lice, they realized that Moses was using a higher power than black magic when they declared "it's the finger of God." Moses had already proven himself as a messenger of God numerous times. Is it absolutely necessary to change the word of God to ensure that a few lowlife sinners will have complete recognition of God?

Once we understand how much one needs to strive and sacrifice to sanctify God's name to the utmost degree, there is no question. Moses understood the importance of sanctifying God's name to the highest level and, to that end, took the liberty of changing God's declaration.

When Abraham defeated the four kings, he refused the spoils of war -- property that was rightfully his to seize -- so that the king of Sodom would not say: "I made Abraham rich." Abraham relinquished mounds of treasure simply to prevent anyone from denying that his wealth came from God.

If we work to understand and ingrain within ourselves what our forefathers sacrificed to not only preserve God's name but to ensure its sanctity, our attitudes and behavior as Jews in all settings, especially public settings, would better reflect God's will.

It is our duty to remain forever vigilant in our actions, our behavior, and our speech to sanctify, never desecrate, God's name.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen.
www.yiaberdeen.com