Vaeira

In this parsha

God reassures Moses, invoking the covenant with the patriarchs and the four expressions of redemption by which Israel will be freed. After a brief genealogy of Moses and Aaron, the two brothers confront Pharaoh, and Aaron's staff becomes a serpent that swallows those of the magicians. Pharaoh's heart remains hardened as the first seven plagues strike Egypt: the Nile turned to blood, frogs, lice, swarms of wild beasts, pestilence of the livestock, boils, and a devastating hail. Again and again Pharaoh refuses to let the people go.

Themes

• Revealing Godliness within nature
• The four expressions of redemption
• Merit of the patriarchs
• Plagues that perfect creation
• Knowing Hashem through redemption
• Faith piercing nature's concealment

Must-read teachings

1. 1Forefathers Perfecting the Created World“In Rashi: ‘And I appeared — to the Patriarchs.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting Rashi’s emphasis that God appeared specifically to the patriarchs. “In the Midrash: ‘Woe for those who are lost…’” This refers to the greatness of the patriar…תרל"ז
2. 2Revealing Hidden Godliness Through NatureRashi explains: “Woe for those who are lost…” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that although Moses’ spiritual level surpassed that of the Patriarchs, something was still “lost” with their passing. Even though Moses’ level was certainly highe…תרל"ב
3. 3Finding Holy Sparks in Nature“And I appeared… but by My name Y‑H‑V‑H I was not known…” The Sefat Emet begins by explaining that the revelation of the Divine Name develops across generations, with the Patriarchs accessing only certain aspects. For the Patriarchs, all th…תרל"ד
4. 4Ten Utterances of Creation“In the verse ‘I appeared to Abraham… as El Shaddai…’” The Sefat Emet opens by framing God’s declaration of appearing to the patriarchs as El Shaddai. “This is an answer to Moses’ question: ‘Why have You done evil…?’” God’s statement comes …תר"מ
5. 5Mercy Joined to Judgment“And God spoke… and said to him: I am Hashem…” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the shift in divine speech from the name Elohim to the Tetragrammaton, signaling a movement from judgment to mercy. In the Midrash: He began with the attribute of…תרל"ו
6. 6Faith Overcoming Natural Concealment“In the verse ‘And I appeared… but by My name Hashem I was not known…’” The Sefat Emet opens by addressing the distinction between the revelation to the Patriarchs and the fuller revelation to Moses. “And in the Midrash: ‘Woe for those who …תרמ"ט
7. 7Israel Witnessing the Eternal Name“In the Midrash: What is man, that he should come after the King… that which has already been done…” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which teaches that creation and its order were already established by God, and man merely ente…תרמ"ח
8. 8Patriarchs Planting Faith in IsraelWe have already written elsewhere that there first had to be a rectification through the deeds of the Patriarchs. The Sefat Emet teaches that the spiritual foundation for Israel was laid by the Patriarchs’ actions. Through this, the Childre…תר"נ