Vaera

Exodus 6:2-9:35

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In this Torah portion, God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh to demand freedom for the Israelites from slavery. Pharaoh refuses to free the Israelite slaves and God unleashes plagues on the Egyptians. Pharaoh promises to free the Israelites and asks Moses to stop each plague, but each time, God hardens Pharaoh's heart. The portion ends with the plague of hail stopping, and Pharaoh changing his mind once again.

Click here for a summary of Vaera.
Click here for a summary of the Haftarah for Vaera.

 

 frog plague
The second plague was frogs.

 

Text Studies

Social Action and Environmentalism

Overcoming Self-Doubt
Rabbi Neal J. Loevinger, KOLEL

Lost in Translation
Rachel Farbiarz, AJWS

What's in a Name?
Cantor Martin Levson, Union for Reform Judaism

Exacerbating the Plagues
Evan Wolkenstein, AJWS

The True Essence of the Divine
Rabbi Avi Weinstein, Hillel

The Corruption of Water
Aviva Aiden-Presser, AJWS
 

Four Steps of Liberation
 Rabbi Toba Spitzer, socialaction.com
 

The Earth is the Lord's
 David Goldblatt, Canfei Nesharim
   

From the Denominations

Pluralism and Outreach

Bearing Fruit in Old Age
Rabbi Bradley Artson, American Jewish Unversity

Environmental Appreciation
Rabbi Shimon Felix, Bronfman Youth Fellowships

Thanks When Thanks Are Due
Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Jewish Theological Seminary

Unwilling Audiences
Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Jewish Outreach Institute

Brothers Bringing Redemption
Rabbi Avraham Fischer, Orthodox Union

Part of a Process
Regina Stein, CLAL
 

Serpents & Snakes
Yossi Ziffer, UJA-Federation of New York

Multimedia

The Shechinah: A Supernal Mother
Dr. Sharon Koren, Women of Reform Judaism

Parashat Vaera Quiz
Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies

  

Parashat Vaera Challah
Julie Seltzer

  

Parashat Vaera for Families
Torah Topics for Today

  

 

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