Parashat Va’eira: Emunah, Miracles, and the Journey to Holiness (2021)

As we enter the second week of Shovavim—the spiritually significant six-week period spanning the Torah portions of Shemot, Va’eira, Bo, Beshalach, Yitro, and Mishpatim—we are reminded of our mission: to rise in kedushah (holiness) and strengthen our emunah (faith), just as our ancestors did in Mitzrayim (Egypt).

Holding On Through Darkness

A beautiful pasuk captures this spiritual journey:

“Lehagid ba’boker chasdecha u’emunatcha ba’leilot” – To declare Your kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness at night (Tehillim 92:3).

Why is “morning” singular and “nights” plural? Because challenges often outnumber our easy moments. Yet it is precisely during those long “nights” that we are called to proclaim: Hashem, I trust You.

The Hidden Meaning in Va’eira: "Ani Rishon v’Ani Acharon"

The very letters of Va’eira (וארא) spell: Ani Rishon v’Ani Acharon – I am the First and the Last. When Moshe Rabbeinu asked why there was so much suffering, Hashem responded with a deeper truth: Everything has a divine purpose.

Even Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov faced painful tests but remained steadfast. As Rashi notes:

“Ne’eman leshalem sachar” – Hashem is faithful to repay every act.

The Purpose of Creation: Kiddush Hashem

The word Shemot (שמות) can be rearranged to spell: Tachlit Ma'aseh Shamayim v’Aretz – The purpose of Heaven and Earth. This entire saga—from slavery in Egypt to redemption, Matan Torah, and the Mishkan—reveals Hashem’s greatness. Our role? To bring honor to His name through our lives and actions.

Egypt and the Power of the Mateh

In Mitzrayim, a land immersed in self-worship and magic, even Pharaoh declared, “The Nile is mine; I made it.” But through the ten plagues, the truth emerged. The Egyptian sorcerers admitted:

“Etzba Elokim hi” – This is the finger of God (Shemot 8:15).

Moshe’s Mateh (staff), passed down from Adam to Noach and the Avot, symbolized the ability to transform hearts. The word mateh shares the root with lehatot – to turn. Engraved with the initials of the ten plagues (דצ"ך עד"ש באח"ב), the staff demonstrated Hashem’s complete dominion.

Three Powerful Messages Behind the Plagues

1. "L’maan teida ki Ani Hashem" – Know that Hashem exists.The first plagues (blood, frogs, lice) shattered Egypt’s idol-worship.

2. "Yodea Hashem" – Hashem is personally involved.The later plagues showcased Hashgacha Pratit, as the Jews were untouched.

3. "Ein kamoni" – There is none like Hashem.Plagues like fire-hail and darkness defied natural law to emphasize Hashem’s unlimited power.

The Frogs and the Power of Mesirut Nefesh

One of the most powerful lessons in emunah comes from the plague of frogs. The Midrash teaches that the frogs entered ovens—even at the cost of their lives—to fulfill Hashem’s will. Remarkably, those who entered the ovens survived the plague.

King David was humbled by this when finishing Tehillim. A frog told him, “I’m ready to die to sanctify Hashem’s name.” If a creature without free will can show such devotion, how much more so can we?

Welcoming Chodesh Shevat: Peace, Blessing, and Goodness

This Shabbat Mevarchim, we usher in Chodesh Shevat—an acronym for Shalom (peace), Bracha (blessing), and Tovah (goodness).

A recent true story from Eretz Yisrael illustrates the power of vittur (yielding for peace):

Two families double-booked a wedding hall. Tensions rose. One woman, whose father was gravely ill, chose to give up the larger space as a mitzvah and asked the owner not to punish the secretary who erred. Days later, her father’s diagnosis was found to be incorrect—he was healthy.

Her act of shalom unlocked a miracle.

Final Reflections: Strengthening Our Emunah in Every Season

Parashat Va’eira calls on us to hold tightly to emunah, even when open miracles are hidden. Like our ancestors in Egypt, we are on a journey—from impurity to holiness, from confusion to clarity.

Let’s live with greater awareness of Hashem, seek out Kiddush Hashem in our daily lives, and grow in our faith.