This time, I would like to suggest that God uses trolling techniques as part of the way to salvation. This particular method is also useful once one is trying to strive for any kind of difference in their lives, regarding their diet or otherwise. Indeed. Trolling.
I am not referring ofcourse, to the scandinavian born monstrosity, nor the lovely dolls from the 90's and recent film franchises. Rather, I am referring to the contemporary term used all throughout social media, etymologically related to the act of fishing – seducing a fish to its trap. Internet entities use this technique as a way to make a laugh, waste time and sometimes to create havoc and act maliciously. So, wait, how can I even try and compare the Lords' manifold actions to a mere, bored youngster inhabiting the dark corners of the internet? Trolling might involve actions which are not moral to say the least: Lies, manipulations, doxxing, bullying and a host of other amoral activities, at times, borderlining misdemeanors and heinous crimes. Let's read the scripture for answers.
Exodus 10:2 goes as follows:
"and that you may recount in the hearing of your child and of your child’s child how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am THE LORD"
The Hebrew term for "I made a mockery" is Hita'lalti. התעללתי.
One might translate this term as "abuse". Rashi refers to it as "I played with them", not in terms of doing or undoing, but rather – playfulness, but modern Hebrew usually refers this verb as mere abuse. But this abuse is not a futile, sadistic abuse – it is indeed a game, a harsh game indeed but a needed one in this case.
Or Haim interprets this segment as another proof that God isn't trying to pay vengeance towards Pharaoh. Rather, he stiffs his heart yet again, before and after the locust which will follow. It is meant, accordingly, to be yet another power demonstration. In military tactics, both the USAJCOS and the Israeli high command refer to the C6ISR combat system. Without entering very different subject matters, the point of this framework is achieving maximal control in the battlefield, from strategic point of views. It is a manner on which one side is trying not only to win battles, but rather to prove absolute superiority. One such historical instance is the famous raid of the IAF on the Syrian Air Defense systems named Operation Mole Cricket 19 which ended in a very decisive Israeli victory. Afterwards, the Syrian strategy had undergone tremendous changes — thus control was achieved. It demonstrated absolute superiority, in a way which proved to the Syrians that the IDF sets everything – the time, place, terms and the overall way which such skirmishes will be conducted.
Such is the case here. God is demonstrating absolute control, in a way which he can even "troll" whomever they wish to. He can play, put to mockery, abuse, do what is necessary not as vengeance, but to prove a valid point – for the Israelites to Know.
All across the book of Exodus and also in the biblical literature in a more general sense, the verb To Know has a very intimate meaning. Last week, God explained that he was only Known to Moses, and not to the Abrahamic lineage. Moses asked his name, which wasn't a deed which had done before him. In this way, one can understand that this trolling act is not just a mere folly – but a way to prove intimacy, another way to profess love, perhaps.
And How does that relate to nutrition and habit forming activities?
In order to facilitate change, one must look not at the direct object of his intention but rather to achieve maximal (again, maximal, not absolute, we are not God) control upon all the whole which is related to that object. Trying to lose weight doesn't mean only to change your vegetables intake. It is pivotal to assume better understanding of your immediate surrounding – Is your house organized for such changes? Is your schedule accommodating for these needs? Do you receive enough help and knowledge regarding your issues? How can you ultimately prevent from the bad habits to return and repeat by not only "not doing them" but rather, to cut their root source?
Therefore, in a way, we must "to make a mockery" of what we intend to change. Not as means of revenge – but rather, to demonstrate the rest of our mind and soul and body – that we CAN gain more control. More. Not absolute. Again, we are humans and no Gods.
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On the other hand, Later on in the story, we are reminded that God always gives time to repent. As said in Midrash Rabba (Exodus 13): "…Why did the Holy One Blessed Be He make the time for the plagues tomorrow and He didn't bring them immediately? So that they would turn back through them and they would do repentance." – therefore, the abuse and mockery are avoidable. So it is in our life – It is not an imperative that our habits should be punished. Rather, some of them can change or be reframed as something positive or healthy.
One should remember though – it is indeed a miracle to be able to change and reform anything. To successfully maintain a new lifestyle is not that indifferent than the miracles done by the LORD to the egyptians, and they are indeed a testimony that world in which we can change, is a world done in love and compassion.
