Vaera

Embark on a journey of Jewish learning and discovery, exploring the depth of our Vaera resources, where tagged items including audio, programs, and podcast episodes await your exploration.

Vaera: It Took A While

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Moshe was frustrated. Having been coerced by G-d to redeem the Jewish people, things were not going as planned. As Moshe confronted Pharaoh, demanding—as G-d had instructed—that he let them go free, Pharaoh worsened the conditions for the Jewish…
Article
Jan 24, 2020

Vaera: The Sons of Korach

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The initial meeting between Moshe and Pharaoh did not go well. The workload placed on the poor Jewish slaves was increased, and more importantly, the people's morale was shattered. Whereas initially, "the people believed, and they heard…
Article
Jan 4, 2019

Vaera: When the Going Gets Tough

Rabbi Jay Kelman

The story of the slavery and subsequent redemption of the Jewish people focuses almost entirely on Moshe, Aharon and Pharaoh. Strangely, the thoughts, feelings, and actions of both the Egyptian and Jewish people are barely noted. Although we are…
Article
Jan 27, 2017

Vaera: Searching for G-d?

Rabbi Jay Kelman

"G-d spoke to Moshe, and said to him, 'I am the Lord. I revealed myself to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as G-d Almighty, but My name YHVH I did not allow them to know'" (Shemot 6:2). While the exact meaning of this verse is not…
Article
Jan 16, 2015

Vaera: The Right Reason

Rabbi Jay Kelman

Sometimes the reason why one does something can be even more important than what was actually done. While our Sages note that one should strive to perform mitzvoth even for the wrong motives, the commentaries note exceptions to this rule (see, for…
Article
Jan 4, 2010

Vaera: Status Quo

Rabbi Jay Kelman

"And they did not listen to Moshe, from short spirit and hard work" (7:9). Moshe had a daunting dual task before him. Not only did he need to demonstrate to Pharaoh that he must free his slaves, he needed to convince the Jewish people that they…
Article
Jan 23, 2009