Parashat – Va’eira

Cantor Toby Glaser

North Shore Temple Emanuel

When we think of the moments in the Torah that feel cinematic or highly dramatic, Parshat Va’eira is certainly among the most striking. The imagery of the first seven plagues, of the Nile turning to the blood, and the plagues of frogs and locusts evoke the terrible drama of the Exodus story and God’s great power and wrath.  Yet, this high drama is juxtaposed against Moses’ own self-doubt and speech difficulties. Although this parsha contains such evocative scenes, with the Egyptians being afflicted with great suffering  in order to obtain the freedom of the Israelites, Moses stands in contrast, feeling inadequate and uncertain of his role as leader.

In the previous parsha, Moses argued, “Please, Adonai, I have never been good with words, either in times past or now that You have spoken to Your servant; I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” (Exodus 4:10) Even after God reassures him that he will have God’s support and guidance, Moses is disheartened after he initially tries to persuade the Israelites that they should follow him. He again complains in Va’eira “The Israelites would not listen to me; how then should Pharoah heed me, me– who gets tongue tied!” (Exodus 6:12)

After the horrific events of December 14th, perhaps we are all feeling the weight of this role of being thrust into a position of speaking out. I am painfully aware that so many in our community may feel “slow of speech” or unable to convey their feelings and meet this difficult moment. Maybe you are the only Jew in your workplace or friendship group and you don’t know how to articulate your emotions or ask for support. How can you move forward?  It is such a disconcerting and unsettling moment in our history.

We read in the Derashot Haran a fourteenth century Spanish collection of discourses “…for this reason Moses was invested with all the perfections of the prophet to make manifest the Divinity of his calling, and divested, with deliberate intent, of lucid speech, so that it not be thought that it was his eloquence which made Israel and its leaders his followers. For men with glib tongues have been known to attract multitudes and to have their lies taken for truth. The very opposite, however, is the case with one whose speech is impaired. It was for this reason that Moses was divested of lucid speech. (Derashot Haran 3:10)”

This reading holds so much wisdom for our present moment. It is a time to share our grief, to show the honesty and truth of this moment that we are in pain and in need of safety and security for our people, even if we are struggling to find our words or voice. Many of us may feel like Moses, uncertain, advocating for our people in a reality which we never envisioned. The unprecedented attack in Bondi has thrust the Jewish community into the spotlight in a way that we never wished or imagined. Some of us may have the tools and voices to advocate for our community in a public or professional capacity, and we are so grateful to them, but know that if you are feeling the weight of grief and uncertainty, this too is continuing the tradition of Jewish leadership.

In the first words of Va’eira, God assures Moses that he is speaking with the God of his ancestors, Abraham and Jacob, and that God will redeem the Israelites and remember God’s covenant. Similarly, in this moment, we remember our history and grounding in Jewish tradition. To those feeling that sense of speechlessness, know that your pain and whatever words or actions you have are enough. Being present, showing solidarity, supporting others and contributing however you can in a difficult time, and simply using whatever voice you have are all ways we are continuing Moses’ legacy.