Jumping into Action: The Power of Facing your “Frogs”

By Julia Loeb, WLCJ International President

In Parashat Vaera, the story of the plagues unfolds as God begins to demonstrate divine power to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Among these plagues is the curious and slightly comical one of frogs. Imagine frogs all over the palace—in the kitchens, in the royal halls, and even in the beds. As the children’s song says, there were “frogs here, frogs there, frogs were jumping everywhere”! It’s a vivid, absurd image. Yet, like many stories in the Torah, it contains layers of meaning that resonate beyond its historical or theological context.

The plague of frogs is relentless. Pharaoh cannot ignore them, no matter how much he tries to dismiss Moses and Aaron. The frogs are a disruptive force, demanding attention until Pharaoh finally acknowledges their significance.

Similarly, in life, we too often try to ignore our metaphorical “frogs.” Sometimes, problems swirl around us, and we try to put them out of our minds, focusing on more trivial tasks, hoping the bigger problems will simply go away. Facing our “frogs” can seem overwhelming or inconvenient, but the longer we ignore them, the more they multiply, taking up mental and emotional energy.

In Brian Tracy’s book, Eat That Frog, the metaphorical “frog” represents your biggest, most daunting task—the one you’re most likely to procrastinate on but that would have the greatest impact if completed. Tracy’s message is that by not putting off that scary task—by “eating the frog” first—you prioritize what truly matters, setting yourself up for success.

Moses and Aaron model this for us as well. Despite their fears and setbacks, they persevere, returning to Pharaoh repeatedly to advocate for the Israelites’ freedom. Their “frog” wasn’t just Pharaoh—it was the skepticism and fear of the people and the daunting task of leading them into the unknown.

For us, sometimes our “frog” is the big project we keep putting off, the phone call we’ve been dreading, or the initiative that feels just a bit too ambitious. By facing the frogs in our lives head-on, we can move forward with clarity and purpose. This is true in our personal and professional lives, and in Women’s League. We are fortunate to have strong leaders in our local synagogues, our regions, and our International Board. We have strong women who do not kick the can down the road but tackle challenges head-on.

In Women’s League, not only do we have strong leaders, but we also build the leadership skills of all our members through engagement, encouragement, and education. We support one another in tackling challenges through mentorship and the power of collaboration and friendship. Like Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, we draw strength from community, faith, and purpose.

The plague of frogs reminds us that life’s challenges are unavoidable, but they are also opportunities for growth and transformation. So, as you reflect on Parashat Vaera this week, consider: What’s your “frog”? What task, goal, or mission have you been avoiding?

May we all find the strength to tackle our frogs—literal or metaphorical—with faith, courage, and persistence, and continue building a future filled with purpose and productivity.

Shabbat Shalom,
Julia Loeb
WLCJ International President
jloeb@wlcj.org