Parsha Talk Vaera 5785 2025

Parashat Va’era [Exodus 6:2-9:35] is filled with rich material, almost too much to enumerate. At the heart of the parashah is the description of the first 7 plagues, culminating with that of hail. Its position as the 7th in a list of 10 underscores its significance. Our conversation, as is perhaps typical, meandered through the parashah. We talked about the first two verses where God is identified by three different names, the verses in Exodus 6 [6-8], which provide the rabbis with their basis for the 4 cups of wine at the seder and the cup of Elijah, the plagues, and so much more. Almost before we knew it, we had gone over our usual time allotment! We hope you enjoy it. Words cannot capture the emotions unleashed by the return of the first hostages as they returned home. We continue to be mindful of those still in captivity, may they be speedily returned to their families, both the living and the dead, and the soldiers who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.