Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 1 Shevat 5784
Parsha Va-‘Era’: (Exodus 6:2 – 9:35)
Fifth Portion: Exodus 8:7 – 8:18

Good morning! It is a new moon – we are entering into the month of Shevat! A year ago, I wrote about this journey into Shevat (I’ve updated and added to it), and believe it is crucial for us in the next few weeks:

Something I’ve been reflecting on this week, coming out of a meditation circle I was a part. How often are we hardening our hearts just to protect our story?

What I mean by this is; our brain has created frameworks and realities that are lodged in our brain. (My therapist calls these “cognitive blocks.” We react and are emotionally activated when these stories come into doubt.

Pharoah in the Torah was protecting “his story.” History. Hashem was moving in a way to challenge that story, and instead of letting go of his story, and releasing his cognitive blocks, Pharaoh kept hardening his heart. Pharoah was stuck.

Where are we stuck? Where do we need to let go of the stories we are telling ourselves about those around us; the stories we tell ourselves about our “enemies” to keep them enemies. The stories we tell ourselves about our “friends” to keep them our friends? The stories we tell ourselves about our lovers to keep them our lovers?

This idea of “keep” is crucial.  We long to keep. To be safe. We have adapted and survived and feel safe – when we feel unsafe, we run to the last moment we felt safe in – where our story was protected – no matter the pain.  We’d rather feel safe in the trauma and pain, than be refreshed by the change around us – ESPECIALLY if that change is towards health.

We tell ourselves stories. And then harden our hearts and get stuck because we can’t release and let go of the story we tell ourselves – despite the evidence in front of us to the contrary.

This “stuckness” is crucial to explore in the next few days; because I believe when the new moon strikes, the harshness that comes from the beginning of Shevat is designed to challenge these stories to help us release and let go.

Shevat has a fulcrum point. Tu B’Shevat. It’s the “new year for trees.” Spiritually, when we reach Tu B’Shevat, we have the opportunity to release the tree that grew the year before, and plant a new one. The harshness of the beginning of Shevat is designed to help us take down that tree and put up a new one.

How will we respond? Will we release the stories we’ve been protecting? Or will we hold onto them in the storm?

Because once the tree is planted on Tu B’Shevat? The second half of Shevat is all about kindness. It will water the tree planted on that day.

I cannot say this enough to those who are reading. We have just come out of a moon cycle that was all about chaos and repair. The goal of the last cycle is to move us towards releasing these cognitive blocks that have kept us stuck on the journey we are on.

The next two weeks – the first two weeks of Shevat? Are going to be HARSH.  The Hebrew word is “Din.” But the HARSHNESS has a soul. It has a purpose. The soil has been repaired in the chaos. How does one repair soil? You have to dig it up and move it all around. Aerate it.  The goal here is ALWAYS Repair.

The soil is now ready for a new tree to grow – and the old tree is in the way.  So the harshness of the next two weeks are about uprooting and removing the tree that has been stuck from moving us forward on our path.

Then on Tu B’Shevat? We will be planting NEW Spiritual Trees that will root and grow – and be a part of our journey towards freedom and liberation.

And. That tree we planted a year ago on Tu B’Shevat? That may be the exact tree we may need to let go of.  Because what guided us last year? May not be what guides us moving forward. We are always growing. We are always planting. We are always sowing.

Ok. Let’s dig in:

Here’s the context. Yesterday? We left off mid sentence.

6And he [Pharaoh] said, “For tomorrow.” And he [Moses] said, “As you say, in order that you should know that there is none like the Lord, our God.

Moses had asked Pharaoh when he wanted the frogs to be removed? And Pharoah said “Tomorrow.” And Moses left us off yesterday with telling us “As you say, in order you should know that there is none like the Lord, our God…..”

Full stop.

What plague in our life are we asking to be removed? What are we wanting to release that we just can’t.

Instead of struggling and suffering to remove the plague on our own? Why not ASK to have it removed for us – and ask for a time frame?

When can we release this plague? When do we want the King of The Universe to fix it?

And – THIS is related to the tree – when do we want to the tree removed? Are we bound to have it fully removed on Tu B’Shevat? Or can we have it removed TODAY so the soil can REST (or be tilled) before the planting on Tu B’Shevat?

This is more context before digging in.  Moses continues and tells Pharaoh:

7And the frogs will depart from you and from your houses and from your servants and from your people; only in the Nile will they remain.”

8And Moses and Aaron went away from Pharaoh, and Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs that He had brought upon Pharaoh.

9And the Lord did according to Moses’ word, and the frogs died from the houses, from the courtyards, and from the fields.

10They gathered them into many heaps, and the land stank.

Moses told Pharaoh the frogs would be removed. He seemed to have confidence – and yet? He cried to the Lord.

That is interesting to me!

Why did Moses cry to Hashem when he knew Hashem was going to do this? Did he doubt?

I am not sure. I am reflecting on that.  I don’t have good answers, and that’s ok.  Maybe you do? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep going:

11When Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart, and he did not hearken to them, as the Lord had spoken.

Full stop.

My first instinct is to judge Pharaoh. But that is not the point of the Torah.  We started this journey in Genesis with “be curious – don’t judge” as the first path to Spiritual Freedom and Liberation.

My reflection is on me being Pharaoh. Why? Why is he hardening his heart? How am I like Pharaoh? Why do I harden my heart?  ESPECIALLY when we get the relief we ask for?

We ask the Universe to remove the plague – we get relief, and then we harden our hearts.

This time is about softening our hearts.  Let’s keep going…

12The Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch forth your staff and strike the dust of the earth, and it shall become lice throughout the entire land of Egypt.’ “

13They did so, and Aaron stretched forth his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and the lice were upon man and beast; all the dust of the earth became lice throughout the entire land of Egypt.

What is interesting here is that they didn’t even approach Pharoah.  They just brought lice.  I’m reflecting on this.  Why?

Because Hashem knew….Pharoah would know. Hashem didn’t need to speak words to Pharaoh any more.

It just unfolded. I imagine Pharaoh seeing the lice – and just knowing. And wondering why Moses and Aaron had not telegraphed this. So what did Pharaoh do? He summoned his necromancers:

14And the necromancers did likewise with their secret rites to bring out the lice, but they could not, and the lice were upon man and beast.

15So the necromancers said to Pharaoh, “It is the finger of God,” but Pharaoh’s heart remained steadfast, and he did not hearken to them, as the Lord had spoken.

The necromancers could not create the lice. And again – it is fascinating – Pharoah didn’t say “hey necromancers – can you get rid of the frogs? Can you get rid of the lice?” He had them try to re-create the co-creation Moses, Aaron and Hashem were doing. Until the lice? He was able to re-create. Now? No chance.

What does this mean for us?

Power.

When we feel powerless. What is our reaction/response? Is it to create power to demonstrate we have it? Or is it to utilize the power we have to heal. To remove. To respond?

Especially when that power comes externally. We want to match that power – INSTEAD of seeing the impact it has on our emotional trauma – and working within to heal. To remove the frogs. To remove the lice.

That’s the work. Let’s keep going:

16And the Lord said to Moses, “Arise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, behold, he is going out to the water, and you shall say to him, ‘So said the Lord, “Let My people go out and serve Me.

17For if you do not let My people go, behold, I will incite against you and against your servants and against your people and in your houses a mixture of noxious creatures, and the houses of Egypt will be filled with the mixture of noxious creatures, as well as the land upon which they are.

18And I will separate on that day the land of Goshen, upon which My people stand, that there will be no mixture of noxious creatures there, in order that you know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth.

So- we are now back to Moses and Aaron approaching Pharaoh.  Pharaoh must have accepted this power was not his. He was likely feeling powerless.

And what do Moses and Aaron do? They not only telegraph what would happen to Pharoah, they ADDED – not only does Hashem have the power – he has the power to PROTECT.

Hashem has the power.

I’m chewing on this. I’m reflecting. I’m at a crossroads. Things have shifted.

More to come.

Here are my thoughts from the past two years:

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 26 Tevet, 5783

Wow. Where I am at today is really interesting as I read today’s portion and my thoughts from last year!

Something I’ve been reflecting on this week, coming out of a meditation circle I was a part of on Sunday. How often are we hardening our hearts just to protect our story?

What I mean by this is; our brain has created frameworks and realities that are lodged in our brain. We act and are emotionally activated when these stories come into doubt.

Pharoah in the Torah was protecting “his story.” History. God was moving in a way to challenge that story, and instead of letting go of his story, Pharaoh kept hardening our hearts. Pharoah was stuck.

Where are we stuck? Where do we need to let go of the stories we are telling ourselves about those around us; the stories we tell ourselves about our “enemies” to keep them enemies. The stories we tell ourselves about our “friends” to keep them our friends? The stories we tell ourselves about our lovers to keep them our lovers?

We tell ourselves stories. And then harden our hearts and get stuck because we can’t release and let go of the story we tell ourselves – despite the evidence in front of us to the contrary. This “stuckness” is crucial to explore in the next few days; because I believe when the new moon strikes, the harshness that comes from the beginning of Shevat is designed to challenge these stories to help us release and let go.

Shevat has a fulcrum point. Tu B’Shevat. It’s the “new year for trees.” Spiritually, when we reach Tu B’Shevat, we have the opportunity to release the tree that grew the year before, and plant a new one. The harshness of the beginning of Shevat is designed to help us take down that tree and put up a new one.

How will we respond? Will we release the stories we’ve been protecting? Or will we hold onto them in the storm?

Because once the tree is planted on Tu B’Shevat? The second half of Shevat is all about kindness. It will water the tree planted on that day.

What are your thoughts?

Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for Tevet 26, 5782

As we approach the end of the month of Tevet, it is exciting to turn the page and enter into Shevat. As we read about the exodus it’s interesting that we are turning our attention to Passover in the Spring. We still have quite a bit of winter to go, but Passover will be here before we know it!

Todays passage finishes off the second plague – the frogs. Pharaoh had asked Moses to plead with God to remove the frogs, and Moses asked when it should happen so pharaoh would know it wasn’t just a coincidence- but that it was actually God.

Moses tells Pharaoh, it will be as you (Pharaoh) say so that you will know that there is none line God, our God!

Todays portion has Moses telling Pharaoh what will happen; the frogs will depart and remain only in the Nile. Then Moses and Aaron leave Pharaoh and Moses cries out to Hashem about the frogs “that He had brought upon Pharaoh.”

Rabbi Hayyim ibn Attar writes “The seemingly superfluous phrase, “that He had brought upon Pharaoh,” instructs us how to pray to God -our requests to God should pertain to even the minor details of our lives. In the same way that Moses detailed his request, we should specify exactly what we want from God and not be content with the thought that “God knows what I need and desire, so there is no point in my specifying my requests”

I think sometimes there is a reality that I don’t focus on the details with Hashem; maybe because I think the details don’t matter to Him so why should I bother Him? Or maybe because it’s overwhelming at times to think about those details. But when we cry out to God, we can ask about even the details; not demanding minute things be given to us; but asking Hashem to answer us even in the smallest of details.

God heard Moses and “acted according to Moses’ word” and all the frogs (in the houses, the courtyards, and the fields) died. They gathered them into many heaps and the land stank.

Pharaoh saw the relief – but then hardened his heart and did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as God told them he (Pharaoh) would.

So Hashem speaks to Moses and tells him to instruct Aaron to strike the earth and it will become lice throughout the entire land of Egypt.

They didn’t even go to Pharaoh – they just did it. Aaron struck the land and lice was upon man and beast. The land turned into lice. Eeek.

The sorcerers did the same thing Aaron did, and tried to create lice – but; for the first time, they could not. They went to Pharaoh and told him this was “the finger of God” but Pharaoh’s heart became hardened and he did not listen to them; just as God had said would happen.

Why couldn’t the sorcerers do this? According to Rashi, it’s because the sorcerers could not perform sorcery on objects smaller than a barley corn; so they couldn’t create lice.

So three plagues. I’m keeping count (mainly because my brain had told me a story that just wasn’t true about the plagues).

1 time Moses told Pharaoh to send the people away

1 time Moses told Pharaoh to “let my people go”

1 time Moses didn’t even talk to Pharaoh.

Todays portion ends with setting up the fourth plague:

God told Moses to get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh when he goes out to the water.

Someone I study Torah with weekly shared (I’m not sure the source – Talmud; Rashi, etc) how this was critical because Pharaoh had set himself up as a God. One of the things he was doing to keep up appearances was to never have to go to the bathroom. He would get up really early in the morning to go to the river to relieve himself and then hold it all day so people would believe he was a God. So the context here is crucial!

God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh; “let My people go out and serve Me, for if you do not let My people go, then I will incite a mixture of harmful beasts, snakes and scorpions against yourself, your servants. Your people and your houses.” He also has Moses add something new; tell Pharaoh “On that day (when the wild beasts come) I will set apart the land of Goshen where my people remain so that there will not be any harmful beast there, in order that you know that I am God and my decreees are upheld on earth.”

Rabbi Ephraim of Luntshits writes;

“The first three plagues – blood, frogs and lice- had largely been aimed at proving the basic fact of the existence of God. This had been achieved by first demonstrating the powerlessness of Pharaoh’s god (the Nile), with the plague of blood; then Pharaoh had witnessed the willingness of the frogs to sacrifice their lives for God; and finally the lice led him to the realization that “it is the finger of God” (8:15).

Now that Pharaoh was aware that God existed, the next three plagues were aimed at demonstrating God’s providence – that “I am God on earth.” This point was to be made clear when “I will set apart the land of Goshen where my people remain, so that there will not be any harmful beast there”- the wild animals spread throughout the land of Egypt, attacking all Egyptian areas, but avoided places where the Israelites lived. Similarly, with the plague of pestilence, we find a clear act of Divine Providence, “God will separate between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt” (9:4). And with the boils, even though there was “dust upon the entire land of Egypt” only the Egyptians were smitten.

This verse, then, (“In order that you know that I am God on earth”) is an introduction to the following three plagues, which serve as a lesson that God not only exists in the heavens but He also controls every detail of that which occurs on earth.”

This is really interesting. There is a poetry here. God has proved he is God. Now he’s going to prove to Pharaoh he is involved on the earth. I think the next three plagues will ALSO prove to Pharaoh that God cares about His people; the Israelites. Pharaoh will have to take notice that God is protecting the Jews at the same time he is plaguing the Egyptians. Pharaoh will STILL harden his heart; but; here’s the catch (in my opinion) – We. Don’t. Have. To.

When we read the exodus story, how often do we see ourselves as the Israelites, Moses, Aaron? We read from the perspective with identifying with these characters from History. What if we are ALSO Pharaoh? What if we harden our hearts to things Hashem wants us to see? Where do we see Hashem working but then ignore it to protect our paradigm and cognitive congruence? Where do you see your hardening of heart? That’s a critical question for us to chew on. This isn’t just a story of the Jewish liberation in Egypt; it’s a tragedy of the Egyptians that their leader didn’t open his heart to what God was doing.

We don’t have to be Pharoah. We have the power to write a different ending. We can navigate how we oppress others and work to liberate them from our own oppression.

Thoughts? A good passage today for sure!