Parashat Va'eira: Trusting Hashem Through Life's Unanswered Questions

This week, as we delve into Parashat Va'eira, we find ourselves at a crucial juncture, reflecting on life's profound questions and the essence of our faith. My thoughts turn to the end of the previous Parasha, when Moshe Rabbeinu, disheartened by the escalating difficulties for Bnei Yisrael (the Children of Israel), questions Hashem: "Why have You brought evil upon this people? Why have You sent me?" (Lama Hariota, Lamah Shlachhtani?).

Moshe had envisioned a simple mission – tell Pharaoh to let the people go, and they would leave. Yet, events grew tougher, not easier. This resonates deeply with our own lives, which are often filled with questions about general events and personal challenges. "Lama Hariota?" – why must things sometimes be so challenging, Hashem, without a clear answer?

Ani Hashem: The Foundation of Trust

Hashem’s response to Moshe is profound: "Ani Hashem" (I am Hashem). This is not just a statement of identity, but a call to absolute trust. Hashem expresses surprise at Moshe's questions, reminding him that Emunah (faith) means trusting that Hashem is the ultimate source and reason behind everything.

• The Patriarchs' Unwavering Faith: Hashem then says, "And I appeared to Avraham, to Yitzchak, and to Yaakov as El Shaddai, but by My Name Hashem, I did not make Myself known to them." (Ve'Eira el Avraham, el Yitzchak ve'el Yaakov b'Keil Shaddai, u'Shemi Hashem lo nodati lahem).

  • The Midrash explains this by highlighting the unwavering faith of the Patriarchs despite hidden miracles and unanswered prayers.

  • Avraham: Promised the land of Canaan, yet he had to pay a high price to bury Sarah, never questioning Hashem's promise.

  • Yitzchak: Faced famine and drought despite promises of blessing, yet never complained.

  • Yaakov: Endured numerous hardships but never turned back to complain to Hashem.

  • They trusted Hashem without needing open explanations or immediate rewards, demonstrating a pure and enduring faith.

The Name Shaddai: Divine Boundaries and Limitations

The specific mention of the name "Shaddai" (Shin-Dalet-Yud) is crucial. Rashi explains that "Shaddai" signifies "She'Amar L'Olamo Dai" – He who said "Enough!" to His world.

• Setting Limits: When Hashem created the world, things could have expanded infinitely – waters, animals, etc. But Hashem set clear boundaries and limitations.

• Hope in Challenges: This teaches us a vital lesson: just as Hashem sets boundaries in the world, everything is limited. Even in times of Tzarah (distress) or challenge, Hashem will eventually set boundaries to our difficulties, and we will ultimately see the good.

Ani Hashem: The Promise of Reward

Rashi explains that the name "Hashem" here refers to Middat HaRachamim (the Attribute of Mercy).

• Trustworthiness of Reward: When Moshe questions "Lama Hariota?" seeing things worsen, Hashem responds with "Ani Hashem" – "You have to know that I am trustworthy to pay reward" (Ne'eman L'Shalem Sachar).

• Enduring Faith: This means that even when we wonder "Lamah Tzadik Ra Lo?" (Why do good people suffer?), and where their reward is, Hashem assures us that a reward is set aside for every single person. Emunah means trusting Hashem, even when we don't understand the reasons behind challenging events. There is always a specific divine reason, and we must believe in this principle wholeheartedly.

Vera'ita et Achorei: Seeing from Behind

The Chasam Sofer offers a beautiful allegorical explanation of Hashem's response to Moshe Rabbeinu's later request in Parashat Ki Tisa, "Havineini et Derechecha" (Show me Your way) or "Havini et Kevodecha" (Let me see Your glory). Hashem answered, "Vera'ita et Achorei, u'Panai Lo Yeira'u" (You shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen).

• Understanding in Hindsight: Some only achieve Emunah when they gain a clear perception and understanding of past events, often after many years. "Vera'ita et Achorei" – they see from behind, after a long time, how Hashem's plan unfolded and the good that emerged.

• The Challenge of Present Trust: However, "u'Panai Lo Yeira'u" – when events are unfolding in front of them, they refuse to trust or to see.

• True Wisdom in Faith: The Chasam Sofer emphasizes that true wisdom is not about trusting Hashem when events are clearly understood, but having Emunah even when difficult events are taking place and we do not comprehend them.

Generations of Deliverance: The Ages of Moshe and Aharon

The Torah states that Moshe was 80 and Aharon was 83 when they came to speak to Pharaoh. Why mention their ages now?

• Recalling Past Deliverance: The Torah prompts us to recall events from 80-84 years prior, reminding us that past periods of immense suffering eventually led to salvation.

  • 84 years ago: Amram, the leader, divorced his wife due to the harsh decrees, only to remarry her later. Miriam was born.

  • 83 years ago: Pharaoh commanded the midwives to kill all newborn Jewish boys. Aharon was born.

  • 80 years ago: Pharaoh decreed that all Jewish boys be thrown into the Nile. Moshe Rabbeinu was born, saved by his mother and Batya.

• From Despair to Leadership: At the time, people thought it was the end of the world. Yet, from those depths of cruelty, Miriam, Aharon, and Moshe were born, becoming the great leaders who would bring deliverance. This reinforces the idea that even in the darkest times, Hashem's plan unfolds.

Aharon's Greatness: Rejoicing in Another's Success

When Moshe and Aharon are mentioned together in the same pasuk, Rashi teaches that "they were equally worthy" (shkulin zeh bazeh). How can Aharon be considered as great as Moshe Rabbeinu, the greatest of all prophets?

• Heartfelt Joy: The Midrash explains Aharon's unique merit: When Hashem told Moshe that Aharon would meet him, Hashem said of Aharon, "And when he sees you, he will rejoice in his heart" (V'samach b'libo).

• Pure Acceptance: Moshe feared Aharon, his elder brother, would be hurt by his appointment as leader. But Hashem affirmed that Aharon would rejoice wholeheartedly, without any hidden reservations or jealousy, for his younger brother's chosen leadership. This immense capacity for pure, unadulterated joy in another's success was Aharon's extraordinary merit, elevating him to equal standing with Moshe.

Unveiling Purpose: Stories of Hidden Meaning

We often ask "Lama Hariota?" ("Why?") when tragic events occur, struggling to comprehend their purpose. These stories remind us that Hashem's plan is often revealed much later, or sometimes only in the World to Come.

• The Mikveh and the Drowned Child: A couple devoted their lives to establishing a Jewish community in a remote area, painstakingly building a mikveh (ritual bath) with immense sacrifice. Their three-year-old son tragically drowned in that very mikveh. Devastated, they questioned Hashem. In a dream, their son revealed he was the gilgul (reincarnated soul) of a great Tzadik from the Inquisition who lacked a proper Taharah (ritual purification) and Jewish burial after his martyrdom. This Neshama (soul) waited 500 years for a perfectly pure mikveh built leshem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven), like theirs, for its final Taharah. His drowning was the completion of his soul's Tikkun (rectification).

• The Maharal of Prague and the Deaf-Mute Boy: A woman asked the Maharal of Prague if her chicken was kosher. He sent her to a nine-year-old deaf-mute boy. The boy looked at the chicken, said "Kosher," and immediately died. The Maharal explained that the boy was the gilgul of a great Rav who, in a rush before Shabbat, once mistakenly declared a poor woman's chicken taref (non-kosher), causing her immense sadness. This Rav chose to be deaf and mute in his reincarnation to avoid further sin. His single, true psak (halachic ruling) in this life fulfilled his Tikkun, allowing his Neshama to finally enter Gan Eden.

These stories illustrate that "Vera'ita et Achorei" – we only see the consequences and meaning of events much later, if at all in this world. We do not fully understand the meaning of events as they unfold.

Ani Hashem: Trust in the Galut

In the midst of the terrible galut (exile) of Mitzrayim, Hashem declares "Ani Hashem" – trust Me, everything has a meaning. We will eventually be given an understanding. That's why Hashem gives a very short, yet profound, answer. This understanding eventually expands into the four expressions of redemption (arba lashonot shel geulah).

May we, too, very soon, have the merit to hear the forwards of Geulah (Redemption) that Mashiach will bring: "Hotzeiti, V'hitzalti, V'ga'alti, V'lakachti" (I will bring out, I will save, I will redeem, and I will take).

Have a wonderful, wonderful Shabbos!