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Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Va'era
To answer this question, let’s employ the time-honored strategy of asking yet another question! When detailing the genealogy of the Tribes later in the parsha, the pasuk says: "THIS was Ahron & Moshe, to whom Hashem had said, ‘Take Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt!’ They were the ones who spoke to Paro to release Bnei Yisrael from Mitzrayim. THIS was Moshe & Ahron."
Now, aside from the fact that Moshe & Ahron’s names are reversed (which Rashi says indicates their equal status) why is it necessary to both preface & conclude the statement with "this was Moshe & Ahron?" Wouldn’t it have sufficed to say it once, rather than twice? And what is the "this?"
Indeed, if the Torah was looking for one, defining image of Moshe & Ahron, would "this" really be it?! Why not describe Moshe as the one who split the sea, or the one who brought down the Luchot from Har Sinai? Why not characterize Ahron as the one who served as Kohen Gadol & led the Avoda in the Mishkan? Would these not have been more vivid, striking, lasting images?
But I suggest the Torah is emphasizing that what made Moshe & Ahron great was their courageous, selfless devotion to the nation, epitomized by their daring to confront Paro & demand that he release Am Yisrael from slavery. The elders had melted away, afraid of what Paro might do to them if they took such an audacious stance. But Moshe & Ahron were willing to risk their lives for the good of the people, & it is precisely "this" virtue of Mesirat Nefesh that becomes their eternal badge of honor.
G-d has many, many names (Chazal say the entire Torah is actually made up of names of G-d!) & each represents a particular aspect, mode or mood of the Almighty. "Elokim" connects to G-d’s attribute of justice, for at this crucial juncture in our history, justice is going to be the theme of the day. For more than a century, we will suffer the indignity of slavery, a huge physical & emotional trauma inflicted upon us. But Egypt will also be severely punished, its leader humbled, its economy devastated & its mighty army destroyed.
But while G-d is indeed the G-d of Justice, this is not "The" definitive G-d. That designation is reserved for the name "Hashem," which denotes mercy, love & the deliverance of all those who have faith in Him. That is G-d’s "real" & essential name, the one He most wants on our lips when we pray or refer to him. G-d defines himself as "He shall be what He shall be;" & that is the protective, giving, loving Hashem who changed history to redeem us once, & is now doing so again, right in front of our very eyes.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Parashat Hashavua Parashat Hashavua: “With a Strong Hand He Will Expel Them from His Land
Harav Shaul Yisraeli – from Siach Shaul, p. 205-6
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
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P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
