Five Books: Parashat Va'era
Listen now
Description
The fourteenth portion of Torah is a story we tend to misunderstand. Usually imagined as a righteous and powerful Moses holding Pharoah to account, there is a secondary message sitting under that blanket of meaning that requires a closer look from all of us. The crippling interventions from G-d, expressed through the persons of Moses and Aaron, are compelling, and they will (though not this week) eventually have their desired effect. But along the way, G-d has brought power to bear on Egypt that affects everyone, regardless of their status or beliefs. It is, in effect, a conflict being fought on behalf of all Israelites, against all Egyptians. We, as Jews, must recognise the power, the importance, and the righteousness that sits at the heart of that battle, but at the same time we must be clear about how that war would affect not just Pharoah, but innocents as well. It's a complex and important story, both for Torah and for us.
More Episodes
Published 04/15/23
The twenty-sixth portion of Torah is a forward looking and remarkably insightful piece of text, a set of instructions that echoes modern best practice in terms of managing infectious diseases and securing the wellbeing of the community. In an era when medicine was non-existent, and most cultures...
Published 04/15/23
The Twenty-fifth porthion of Torah tells three separate, but probably related stories. Aaron and his sons are ordained as priests for the Tabernacle, and G-d appears to bring holiness to the occasion. Then, two of Aaron's sons, with good intention but bad execution, bring an offering of incence...
Published 04/07/23