Parashat Vaera 5783

by Rabbi Ellen S. Wolintz-Fields

When Moses told God that he would not be a good leader, one of Moses’s excuses was that he was not a man of words. That excuse was dismissed as not an issue, because Aaron would be a spokesperson for Moses. Aaron would assist Moses when he approached Pharoah to request that God should let the Israelites leave, and Aaron could be the speaker. Aaron was also instrumental in helping start many of the plagues. For example, when the Nile River turned to blood, it was Aaron who used his rod to turn the water into blood, and not Moses. This was not related to speech, yet Aaron was the one who started the plague of blood, Dam. Many commentaries state that because the Nile River provided Moses with protection when Moses was put into the ark, God would not have Moses inflict a plague on the Nile River. Lessons for all of us – we should not make excuses; rather find solutions. Leaders have people alongside them, who they bring along with them, to help facilitate change and see their goals come to fruition. Another lesson, remember who or what has helped you in the past, and bring them no harm. Chazak v’Ematz – Be Strong and Courageous!