Vaeira
ואראThe Plagues Begin
75 translated essays · 75 total
תרל"א(1870)
Deeds Rooted in Heaven Above· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “And I turned to see… that it had already been done.” The Sefat Emet opens with the Midrash stating that what Moses sought to understand was something already completed above. For a person must know that every action touches…
Remembering Exile Even in Closeness· Essay 2
“And you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings [you out]…”—this is a promise that they will know that the Holy One, blessed be He, brought them out of Egypt. The Sefat Emet opens by asserting that the Exodus serves to implant cl…
Loathing Egypt's Defilement Brings Redemption· Essay 3
“And I will bring you out… from under the burdens of Egypt.” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the phrase “burdens of Egypt,” which hints at an inner spiritual oppression. I heard from my honored grandfather, my teacher of blessed memory…
Va'era 5631 תרל"א
במדרש ופניתי לראות כו’ אשר כבר עשוהו כו’. The Medrash (Shmos Rabba 6:1) explains the pasuk (Koheles 2:12): וּפָנִ֤יתִֽי אֲנִי֙ לִרְא֣וֹת חָכְמָ֔ה וְהוֹלֵל֖וֹת וְסִכְל֑וּת כִּ֣י ׀ מֶ֣ה הָאָדָ֗ם שֶׁיָּבוֹא֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶ…
תרל"ב(1871)
Revealing Hidden Godliness Through Nature· Essay 1
Rashi 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…
Divine Help Beyond Strict Law· Essay 2
“In Rashi: It was revealed before Him that there is no satisfaction among the nations to return, etc., ‘It is better for Me that his heart be hardened,’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing Rashi’s explanation that God knew the nations wou…
Va'era 5632 תרל"ב
תרל”ב 1 ברש”י חבל על דאבדין כו’. Rashi (Shmos 6:9) (When Moshe said “why have you done bad to Bnei Yisrael”, HaShem responded) “It is a pity about those whom we have lost” (HaShem said that He appeared many times to …
תרל"ד(1873)
Finding Holy Sparks in Nature· Essay 1
“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…
Moshe's Humility and Clear Heart· Essay 2
“Moses our teacher, about whom Scripture testifies that he was exceedingly humble…” The Sefat Emet begins by emphasizing Moses’ unparalleled humility, which is the foundation for everything that follows. “(Therefore) he was able to say: ‘Wh…
Hashem the True King of Honor· Essay 3
In the Midrash: “Who is this King of Glory… A human king does not allow others to ride his horse…” The Sefat Emet cites a Midrash contrasting a human king, who guards his honor by restricting others, with the divine model of kingship. He ex…
Personal Mitzrayim Through Arrogance· Essay 4
“And I will bring out, and I will rescue, and I will take, etc.” These are the stages of redemption, each expressing a deeper drawing‑out of Israel from bondage. “And you shall know that I am the Lord Who brings out, etc.” The purpose of re…
Va'era 5634 תרל"ד
תרל”ד 1 וארא כו’ ושמי ה’ לא נודעתי כו’. The pasuk in the beginning of our parsha וָאֵרָ֗א אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶל־יִצְחָ֥ק וְאֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֖ב בְּאֵ֣ל שַׁדָּ֑י וּשְׁמִ֣י יְהוָ֔ה לֹ֥א נוֹדַ֖עְתִּי לָהֶֽם׃ I appeared to A…
תרל"ה(1874)
Egypt Preparing for the Land· Essay 1
“In the Midrash it is taught: Even if a snake is wrapped around his heel, he should not interrupt, etc.” The Sefat Emet opens with a teaching about unwavering focus in prayer, using the image of a snake as symbolic rather than literal. “It …
Ten Plagues Perfecting Creation· Essay 2
“My grandfather, of blessed memory, would say that the Ten Plagues correspond to the Ten Utterances, and through this they later arrived at the Ten Commandments.” The Sefat Emet reports a teaching that draws a structural parallel: Ten Utter…
Speech Reaching the Heights· Essay 3
“Behold, the Children of Israel did not listen to me.” Moses states that even Israel, for whom the message of redemption was intended, did not heed his words. They raise the difficulty that Israel did not listen because of the oppressive la…
King Who Bestows Honor· Essay 4
In the Midrash: “See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh.” “Who is the King of Glory?” etc. Were it not that Solomon said this, they would have sought to stone his head, etc. People of flesh and blood do not allow their honor to be used by ot…
Va'era 5635 תרל"ה
במדרש תנן אפי’ נחש כרוך על עקבו לא יפסיק כו’. The Midrash (Shmot Rabbah 9:3) quotes the Gemara (Brachos ) that one cannot interrupt one’s prayer for a king, and even a snake wrapped around his leg one should not inte…
תרל"ו(1875)
Mercy Joined to Judgment· Essay 1
“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…
Moshe's Compassion for Israel· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘In all sadness there will be gain, but the word of the lips brings only to lack.’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which contrasts productive struggle with speech that diminishes the result. “Because Moses spo…
Cleaving Beyond Foreign Influence· Essay 3
"In the verse: ‘And I will take you out from under the burdens of Egypt,’ etc." The Sefat Emet opens by addressing the introductory phrase and preparing to interpret its deeper meaning. "My master and grandfather, of blessed memory, explain…
Va'era 5636 תרל"ו
תרל”ו וידבר אלקים כו’ ויאמר אליו אני ה’ כו’. במדרש התחיל במדה”ד וראה שבשביל צער ישראל דיבר חזר למדה”ר כו’. “And Elokim spoke to Moshe and said to him”. The Midrash explains that HaShem began with th…
תרל"ז(1876)
Forefathers Perfecting the Created World· Essay 1
“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…
Heavenly Aid Beyond Self· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: What (God said) that he will come, they have already done… Solomon, who sought to outsmart the decree… the yod of ‘yarbeh’ arose.” The Midrash teaches that King Solomon attempted to override a divine decree, and the letter …
Four Redemptions and Torah· Essay 3
“The four expressions of redemption, for all exiles are contained within the exile of Egypt.” The Sefat Emet teaches that the fundamental patterns of all future exiles are rooted in the Egyptian exile, and therefore the four expressions of …
Unbroken Chain of Forefathers· Essay 4
“A cord on the level of ‘Knowledge,’ and it is not found.” The Sefat Emet refers to a spiritual bond—rooted in the divine attribute of da‘at—that ideally connects generations, but here is described as missing or disrupted. For the will of G…
Va'era 5637 תרל"ז
ברש”י וארא. אל האבות. בא”ש כו’ חבל על דאבדין כו’. ביאור הענין כי בוודאי גם האבות היו יכולין להשיג שם הוי’ ב”ה. אמנם בחירת האבות הי’ בבחי’ אל שדי שהוא כבוד מלכותו ית’ בעולמות שברא. כענין …
תרל"ח(1877)
Finding Godliness Through Torah· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘And I appeared…,’ and in the Midrash: ‘Woe for those who are lost.’” The Sefat Emet opens by citing the Midrash, which laments the loss of the patriarchs. “This is difficult, for Moses attained a level higher than theirs, as …
Souls Bound to Worldly Action· Essay 2
“And in the Midrash: ‘What… that he will come… that which they have already done…’” The Sefat Emet cites a Midrash interpreting phrases referring to acts that were already performed on a spiritual level before they manifested below. “Which …
Cleansing the Soul's Coarseness· Essay 3
“In the verse: ‘And I will bring you out… from under the burdens… and I will save you from their labor.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the verse lists two stages of deliverance, and this requires explanation. “The explanation of the…
Egypt as Key to Redemptions· Essay 4
“Concerning the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.” The Sefat Emet introduces the topic of why Pharaoh’s heart was hardened. “I have already written elsewhere that it was the will of the Creator, blessed be He, that all types of forces of impuri…
Va'era 5638 תרל"ח
בפסוק וארא כו’ ובמד’ חבל על דאבדין. וקשה מאחר שהשיג מרע”ה למעלה עליונה מהם כאמור ושמי ה’ כו’. א”כ מה חבל. אך ביאור הענין בשם אל שדי אמרו חכמים שיש די באלקותו לכל ברי’. פי’ כח אלקות שנמצא בכל ה…
תרל"ט(1878)
Wholeness Through Worldly Vanities· Essay 1
“In the Midrash: ‘For what is man… that which has already been made.’” The Sefat Emet begins by citing a Midrash that interprets the verse as referring to perfected individuals who embody what humanity is meant to become. “This verse is sai…
Hidden Impressions in the Heart· Essay 2
We must learn from this section that the Holy One, blessed be He, commanded that this passage be spoken to the Children of Israel, even though they did not listen because of shortness of spirit. The Sefat Emet teaches that God’s command to …
Va'era 5639 תרל"ט
במדרש כי מה האדם כו’ אשר כבר עשוהו. המקרא נאמר על שלמה ע”ה ועל מרע”ה כו’. הענין הוא כי אלה השלמים לא יכלו לסבול הבלי עוה”ז כמ”ש רש”י ע”פ הבל הבלים. שלמה קורא תגר על כל הנברא במעשה בראשית כו…
תר"מ(1879)
Ten Utterances of Creation· Essay 1
“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 …
Knowing Hashem Through Redemption· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘Therefore say… I am the Lord… and you shall know…’” The Sefat Emet introduces his reading of the verse promising that Israel will come to know God through the redemption. He explains that God said this to inform Israel that …
Va'era 5640 תר"מ
בפסוק וארא אל אברהם כו’ באל שדי כו’. זה תשובה על שאלת מרע”ה למה הרעותה כו’. והענין הוא דאיתא בעשרה מאמרות נה”ע ומה ת”ל כו’ כדי להפרע כו’. והיינו שתיקון הבריאה בעשר מדרגות ולא באחדות. כדי שיהי&…
תרמ"א(1880)
Finding Divinity Within Nature· Essay 1
In Rashi: “Woe for those who are lost…” The Sefat Emet opens by citing Rashi’s lament that something precious has been lost, setting the stage for explaining what spiritual quality is missing. For the Sages said of the Name Shaddai that His…
Exile of the Soul Awakening· Essay 2
Concerning the four expressions of redemption. The Sefat Emet introduces the idea that the four expressions of redemption correspond to different inner dimensions of the redemption process. For the exile of Egypt was not accidental. The exi…
Va'era 5641 תרמ"א
ברש”י חבל על דאבדין כו’. כי חכמים אמרו בשם שדי שיש די באלהותו לכל ברי’. והענין הוא כי ה’ ית’ נתן בהטבע ג”כ חיות אשר יש למצוא בכ”ד הארה אלקיות. רק שצריכין להיות לזה צדיק גדול. והאבות זכו לתקן הטבע כי…
תרמ"ב(1881)
Unbroken Devotion in Service· Essay 1
“In the Midrash on the Mishnah.” The Sefat Emet opens by citing a Midrashic teaching that frames the discussion. “Even if a king greets him, he should not answer; even if a snake is wrapped around him, he should not interrupt.” This teachin…
The Tzaddik Drawing Below Upward· Essay 2
“In the Midrash: ‘Stretch out your hand…’ etc.” The Sefat Emet begins by invoking the Midrash on God’s command to Moses to stretch out his hand, introducing the theme of Divine action flowing through human agency. “All that the Lord desired…
תרמ"ג(1882)
Voice and Speech in Prayer· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘I appeared to the Patriarchs as El Shaddai, but My Name Y‑H‑V‑H I did not make known to them.’” The Sefat Emet opens by addressing the distinction between the Divine Name revealed to the Patriarchs and the inner revelation to…
Four Expressions of Redemption· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘And I will bring out… and I will redeem…’.” The Sefat Emet begins by noting the expressions of redemption mentioned in the verse. “The four expressions of redemption are the root of the four exiles, as it is said: ‘I have sp…
תרמ"ד(1883)
תרמ"ה(1884)
Vaeira תרמ"ה 1· Essay 1
“Parashat Va’era and Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat.” This opening heading marks the Sefat Emet’s teaching for Parashat Va’era as it coincides with Rosh Ḥodesh Shevat, signaling that the themes of renewal associated with the new month illuminate the pa…
Sanctifying Hashem Through Exile· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘And I appeared… but My name Y‑H‑V‑H I was not known by… and also I established My covenant…’” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the shift between how God appeared to the patriarchs and how He revealed Himself to Moses. “It has a…
Renewal Through the Twelve Tribes· Essay 3
“In the wording of the prayer: ‘You formed Your world from the beginning.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the liturgy speaks of creation as originating ‘from the beginning,’ implying a primordial, inner formation of the world. “For o…
תרמ"ו(1885)
Israel Refined Among Thorns· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘And I appeared… and I also established My covenant… and I also heard the cry of the Children of Israel… and I remembered My covenant.’” The Sefat Emet begins by noting that the repeated “also” signals layered divine responses…
Accepting the Yoke of Heaven· Essay 2
In the verse, “Behold, the children of Israel did not listen… and the Lord spoke… and He commanded…” The Sefat Emet opens by noting the flow of verses describing Israel’s inability to listen, followed by God’s command to Moshe and Aharon. I…
Redeeming Speech Through Torah· Essay 3
“Concerning the four expressions of redemption.” The Sefat Emet introduces a teaching on the four stages of redemption mentioned in the Torah. “Based on what is written in the Zohar, that speech was in exile until the giving of the Torah, a…
תרמ"ז(1886)
Refining Mixture Before Eternal Life· Essay 1
“In the verse ‘And I also established…,’ and this section is an answer to Moses’ question, ‘Why have You done evil…?’ ” The Sefat Emet explains that the opening verses respond to Moses’ complaint by revealing that the suffering in Egypt was…
Layers of Bondage and Redemption· Essay 2
“Concerning the four expressions of redemption.” The Sefat Emet introduces the idea that each expression of redemption corresponds to a different spiritual realm. “For the exile existed in all the worlds.” Exile is not merely physical; it a…
תרמ"ח(1887)
Israel Witnessing the Eternal Name· Essay 1
“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…
Darkness Preceding Light in Creation· Essay 2
“In the verse ‘And I appeared… and I also established… to give them…’.” The Sefat Emet begins by referencing the opening verses of Vaera, where God recalls His covenant and promises to give the Land. Moses asked: “Why have You harmed this p…
תרמ"ט(1888)
תר"נ(1889)
Patriarchs Planting Faith in Israel· Essay 1
We 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…
Israel Refining a Mixed World· Essay 2
“And behold, Moses our teacher said: Why have You done evil to this people?” Moses questions why the suffering of Israel has intensified instead of lightened. “And God answered him with this portion: ‘And I appeared…’ and ‘I also establishe…
תרנ"א(1890)
תרנ"ב(1891)
Divine Contraction Before Torah· Essay 1
It is taught regarding the Name Shaddai, that He said to His world: “Enough.” This introduces the idea that the Divine Name Shaddai represents limitation and boundary in creation. And this is the aspect of constriction and smallness, for su…
Four Redemptions and Speech· Essay 2
Concerning the four expressions of redemption. The Sefat Emet introduces his teaching by linking the Torah’s four expressions of redemption to deeper structures of speech and divine revelation. We have explained that there are five outlets …
תרנ"ג(1892)
Divine Counsel Prevailing Over Stumbling· Essay 1
In the Midrash: “When Pharaoh speaks to you…,” it reveals from the beginning… “My counsel shall stand”… until, “Is there perhaps a judge above?” “I will perform My desire,” for He desires to vindicate His creatures. The Sefat Emet opens by …
Transforming the Serpent of Exile· Essay 2
“Concerning the staff becoming a serpent, and in the Midrash the kingdoms are likened to a serpent.” The Sefat Emet opens by linking the miracle of the staff turning into a serpent with the Midrash that compares earthly kingdoms to a serpen…
תרנ"ד(1893)
Israel Rejecting Egyptian Defilement· Essay 1
“In the verse: ‘And I will bring you out from under the burdens of Egypt.’” The Sefat Emet begins by focusing on the divine promise to lift Israel out from under Egypt’s oppressive burdens. And my holy grandfather explained that they could …
Removing the Foreskin of Speech· Essay 2
“In the verse: ‘The children of Israel did not listen… and I am of uncircumcised lips,’ and our Sages said this is one of the ten a‑fortiori arguments in the Torah.” The Sefat Emet opens by noting that Moses’ argument is counted among the T…
תרנ"ו(1895)
תרנ"ח(1897)
תרנ"ט(1898)
תרס"א(1900)
תרס"ב(1901)
Servants Crowned with Divine Glory· Essay 1
In the Midrash it says: “See, I have made you a god to Pharaoh.” The Sefat Emet begins by drawing from the Midrash to frame Moses’ elevated spiritual status in relation to Pharaoh. This is the meaning of the verse: “Who is this King of Glor…
Ever-Open Gates of Teshuvah· Essay 2
It is taught in the Midrash: “And those of hypocritical heart will set on anger.” The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which describes how the wicked, whose hearts are false, provoke divine anger. The wicked—since the Holy One waits…
תרס"ג(1902)
תרס"ד(1903)
Undated
Va'era Essay
The opening of the Parsha is intriguingly absent of its name, deviating from the norm. In response to Moshe’s inquiry, “Lama hareota?”— questioning the hardships faced by Bnei Yisrael—HaShem’s answer lies in the init…
Parshat Va'eira Essay
Begining of Parsha doesnt contain the name of the parsha, it’s unusual. Vayedaber Elokim el Moshe vayomer eilav ani HaShem. This is actually the answer to the end of parshat Shmot. Moshe asked HaShem Lama hareota, why is it so bad why are y…