Freewill: Use It or Lose It (Va’era 5778)
In parshat Va’era we read for the first time, not of Pharaoh hardening his heart but of God doing so: … Read more
Parshot: Vaera
Freedom & Truth (Va’era 5777)
Why did Moses tell Pharaoh, if not a lie, then less than the full truth? Here is the conversation between … Read more
Spirits in a Material World (Vaera 5776)
The Torah sometimes says something of fundamental importance in what seems like a minor and incidental comment. There is a … Read more
Freewill (Vaera 5775)
The question is ancient. If God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, then it was God who made Pharaoh refuse to let the … Read more
Vaera (5774) – Overcoming Setbacks
At first, Moses’ mission seemed to be successful. He had feared that the people would not believe in him, but … Read more
Vaera (5773) – Of Lice and Men
Throughout all Egypt the dust turned into lice. But when the magicians tried to produce lice by their secret arts, … Read more
Va’era (5772) – Freedom and Truth
Why did Moses tell Pharaoh, if not a lie, then less than the full truth? Here is the conversation between … Read more
Va’era (5771) – The Birth of History
The parasha of Va’era begins with some fateful words. It would not be too much to say that they changed … Read more
Va’era (5770) – Losing Freedom
It is one of the classic philosophical conundrums. In this week’s sedra, before even the first plague has struck Egypt, … Read more
Va’era (5769) – The Cup of Hope
As a child, I used to be fascinated by the cup of Elijah at the seder table. Would the prophet … Read more