In Parashat Va-eria, Moses begins his sacred duties by bringing the Israelites news of their impending deliverance, but the Israelites cannot hear his words because, “their spirits had been cut short and they labored bitterly (Exodus 6:9). Often, the solution to a pressing problem may evade us because we remain too “in it,” encircled by the confines of the issue tormenting us. As such, fresh perspectives are often invaluable to problem-solving, but when a problem persists for long enough, fatigue can easily set in, numbing us to possibility of resolution. As such, the very first gift of the Exodus is the gift of hope, one conveyed through the plagues upon Egypt, a sign not for the Pharaoh, whose heart is hardened at each turn, but for the Israelites, who required the spark of hope in order to take even the smallest step toward their own liberation. When we confront problems, [...]

This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Va-eira, moves the tale of our ancestors’ servitude in Egypt toward redemption, as Moses confronts Pharaoh and unleashes the first seven of ten plagues upon Egypt. Often lost from the conversation about the miraculous plagues is the role played by the Egyptian magicians, who match the Divine signs unleashed by Moses, effort for effort, until the third plague of lice, which the magicians fail to imitate. They respond by acknowledging, “אֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִים הִוא – This is the finger of God!” However, Pharaoh’s heart remains hardened, and he refuses to relinquish the Hebrews. Though the medieval commentator, Ibn Ezra, suggests that the magicians’ exclamation distinguishes between Elohim, God, and Adonai, the God of Israel, the plain implication of the text—one seconded by the great Rashi—is that once Pharaoh’s magicians reach their limits, even they acknowledge God’s supremacy and desire to release the Hebrews. Nevertheless, Pharaoh ignores his advisors, demonstrating [...]

Last week, Jews throughout the world once again began the Book of Exodus, returning to the beginning of our people’s story of oppression and slavery. So, too, may it feel like we return to the beginning of a tale of suffering—one kindled through the resurgence of a pandemic. Like our ancestors, we may find ourselves in search of sources of strength and resilience as we survey the wilderness of sorrow and trauma that lay behind us and before us. Our ancestors, however, drew inspiration from the stories of those who carried the Israelites to their deliverance. From the midwives, Shifra and Puah, who plot a radical act of resistance to save the Israelite baby boys… to Pharaoh’s daughter, Batyah, who defies her father’s decree to welcome a Hebrew baby into their household… to Moses’ mother and sister, Yocheved and Miriam, who courageously devise a plan to save their new baby, [...]