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Va’eira

Va’eira 5785-2025

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

Va’eira 5785-2025
“Teaching a New Reality About Divine Power Through the Ten Plagues”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5765-2004)

The ten plagues are not ten random events. They are carefully structured symbols that come to negate contemporary Egyptian beliefs, and teach very powerful lessons about faith in G-d and G-d’s ultimate power. The ten plagues also successfully work to discredit the power of the chartoomim and chachamim, Pharaoh’s sorcerers and wise men.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5784-2024

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Names of G-d and their Meanings”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5764-2004)

The names of G-d are many, each revealing to the world a different aspect of the Creator. In this parasha, the universe's understanding of G-d is heightened by Moses to a level never before conceived, even by the patriarchs. After Moses, the world's notion of G-d is never to be the same.

Read More


0 Comments11 Minutes

Va’eira 5783-2023

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Exodus--A ‘Primitive’ Story with Revolutionary Implications”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5763-2002)

Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification, as one unending series of tragedies, pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, crusades, destructions, exiles, and ultimately--holocausts. Even a cursory review of the Jewish calendar confirms this dark perspective. In truth, this perception is incorrect. Jewish history is really one unending series of moral, educational, and ethical triumphs and victories, but we fail to perceive it. We often fail to recognize the untold revolutionary contributions that Judaism has made to humanity. When we study the traditions of Judaism in depth, particularly the traditions of Passover, we see that we have much of which to be proud. We must let the world know about it.

Read More


0 Comments12 Minutes

Va’eira 5782-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Can We Question G-d and Get Away with It?”
(Updated and revised from Va’eira 5762-2002)

Parashat Va'eira opens with G-d berating Moses for saying that things have only gotten worse for the people of Israel since Moses’ intervention. Strict interpretation holds Moses accountable for his presumptuousness, eventually resulting in his inability to enter the Promised Land. The more liberal interpretation implies that G-d desires to be challenged, hoping to find justification that would exonerate those guilty of improper acts.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5781-2021

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Mesmerized by the Subtle Slavery”
(updated and revised from Va’eira 5761-2001)

The Torah tells us that Pharaoh literally had to chase the Jews out of Egypt, not only because Egypt was the country that they knew as their home, but because Egypt embodied values from which they were not prepared to separate. It is this “subtle slavery,” reflected in our admiration for, and indeed worship of, “alien” cultures and values, that is a cause of concern for Jews, even today.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5780-2019

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“G-d Hardens Pharaoh's Heart:
Reconciling Omniscience with Free Will”
(revised and updated from Va’eira 5760-2000)

Our commentators struggle with G-d’s statement to Moses: “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart.” Does this imply that G-d has taken away Pharaoh’s free will? Among the host of responses offered by the commentators, is that Pharaoh hardened his own heart during the first 5 plagues, and was punished five times by G-d hardening Pharaoh’s heart during the last 5 plagues. Many of the responses given by the commentators to this issue are quite insightful and resourceful. They must be studied carefully in order to appreciate them fully.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5779-2018

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Cups of Redemption"

Rabbi Asher Weiss maintains that there are four levels of slavery that parallel the four languages of liberation found in parashat Va’eira, and are represented by the four cups of wine that we drink at the Passover Seder.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5778-2018

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Participating in the Communal Pain”

The names of the sons of Levi reflect the fact that the tribe of Levi felt the communal pain for all the tribes of Israel, even though they themselves were not personally afflicted.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5777-2017

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Dangers of Self Delusion”

When Pharaoh saw that there was relief from the plague of frogs, he hardened his heart. There is grave danger in self-delusion, thinking that now that relief has arrived, we will no longer be held accountable.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5776-2016

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Lessons of Genealogy”

The genealogy of Moses and Aaron teaches many important principles about life, and provides insightful life lessons for all to master.

Read More


0 Comments9 Minutes

Va’eira 5775-2015

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Measure of Brotherly Love”

Why does Scripture delve into the genealogy of Moses and Aaron with such detail?

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Va’eira 5774-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“Moses, the Reluctant Prophet”

How could any mortal refuse the Al-mighty’s mission, especially when G-d sends Moses to redeem His people, whom Moses loves so dearly?

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0 Comments14 Minutes

Va’eira 5773-2013

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The ‘Outstretched Arm’ and the ‘Mighty Hand’"

Why does the Al-mighty rescue Israel with both an “outstretched arm” and a “mighty hand”?

Read More


0 Comments9 Minutes

Va’eira 5772-2012

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

“The Decline and Collapse of the Egyptian Magicians”

The Bible reports that the Egyptian magicians encourage Pharaoh’s resistance by replicating several of the Ten Plagues. Soon, however, we learn of the precipitous decline and collapse of the Egyptian magicians.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5771-2011

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Messages from the Nile"

As the central feature of Egypt, it was logical that the Nile would be the first object of G-d’s wrath. Hence, the first two plagues, blood and frogs, are visited upon the Nile. But, there is much more that the Nile represents.

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0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5770-2010

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Shortness of Breath and Hard Work"

The Bible states that the ancient Israelites could not hear Moses' favorable message of G-d's impending salvation due to "shortness of breath and hard work." What does this mean? And what are the implications for contemporary times?

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5769-2009

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Why Didn't the Egyptians Rebel Against Pharaoh?"

Egypt had already suffered through seven plagues. The Egyptian people were down on their knees. Why didn't the citizens rebel against Pharaoh? Why did they allow their storied civilization to be destroyed before their very eyes?

Read More


0 Comments12 Minutes

Va’eira 5768-2007

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Moses, the Exalted Leader"

Moses, the greatest prophet of Israel, comes to his position of leadership through much pain and profound challenge. Without charisma, and barely qualifying as a speaker, he teaches that leadership is based on moral courage and uncompromising devotion to truth.

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0 Comments10 Minutes

Va’eira 5767-2007

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Even a Hardened Heart has a Silver Lining"

The fact that G-d hardens the heart of Pharaoh presents many theological issues, but what is often overlooked is that as a result of Pharaoh hardening his heart, the Jews achieved full liberation from Egypt, rather than to go out to the wilderness, worship G-d there for three days and have to return to Egypt.

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0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5766-2006

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Becoming Accustomed to the Burdens"

Why had the time now come to free Israel from bondage? While many reasons are offered, Rabbi Simcha Bunam of Peschischa suggests that G-d felt that the ancient Hebrews were becoming too accustomed to suffering--so it had to stop. A parallel may be drawn to contemporary times, when people become indifferent and unresponsive to the immorality of our own environment.

Read More


0 Comments8 Minutes

Va’eira 5765-2005

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Teaching a New Reality About Divine Power Through The Ten Plagues"

The ten plagues were not simply ten random events. They were carefully structured symbols that came to negate contemporary Egyptian beliefs, and teach very powerful lessons about faith in G-d and His ultimate power. The ten plagues also successfully worked to discredit the power of the chartoomim and chachamim, Pharaoh's sorcerers and wise men.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5764-2004

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Names of G-d and Their Meanings"

The names of G-d are many, each revealing to the world a different aspect of the Creator. In this parasha, the universe's understanding of G-d is heightened by Moses to a level never before conceived, even by the patriarchs. After Moses, the world's notion of G-d is never to be the same again.

Read More


0 Comments10 Minutes

Va’eira 5763-2002

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Exodus--A 'Primitive Story' with Revolutionary Implications"

Jewish history is often perceived, with great justification, as one unending series of tragedies, pogroms, expulsions, inquisitions, crusades, destructions, exiles, and ultimately--holocausts. Even a cursory review of the Jewish calendar confirms this dark perspective. In truth, this perception is incorrect. Jewish history is really one unending series of moral, educational and ethical triumphs and victories, but we fail to perceive it. We often fail to recognize the untold revolutionary contributions that Judaism has made to humanity. When we study the traditions of Judaism in depth, particularly the traditions of Passover, we see that we have much of which to be proud. We must let the world know about it.

Read More


0 Comments11 Minutes

Va’eira 5762-2002

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"Can We Question G-d and Get Away With It?"

Parashat Va'eira opens with G-d berating Moses for saying that things have only gotten worse for the people of Israel since Moses intervention. Strict interpretation holds Moses accountable for his presumptuousness, eventually resulting in his inability to enter the promised land. The more liberal interpretation implies that G-d desires to be challenged, hoping to find justification that would exonerate those guilty of improper acts.

Read More


0 Comments6 Minutes

Va’eira 5761-2001

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"The Subtle Slavery"

The Torah tells us that Pharaoh literally had to chase the Jews out of Egypt, not only because Egypt was the country that they knew as their home, but because Egypt embodied values from which they were not prepared to separate. It is this "subtle slavery," embodied in our admiration for, and indeed worship of, alien cultures, that is a cause of concern for Jews, even today.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

Va’eira 5760-2000

by Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald

"G-d Hardens Pharaoh's Heart: Reconciling Omniscience and Free Will"

Our commentators struggle over G-d's statement to Moses: "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart." Does this imply that G-d has taken away Pharaoh's free will? Among the host of responses offered by the commentators is that Pharaoh hardened his own heart during the first 5 plagues, and was punished by G-d hardening Pharaoh's heart during the last 5 plagues. Many of the responses given by the commentators to this issue are quite insightful and resourceful. They must be studied carefully in order to appreciate them fully.

Read More


0 Comments7 Minutes

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