For full text in Hebrew and English, click here: Exodus 6:2-9:35
In this Torah portion, God tells Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh to demand freedom for the Israelites. 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.
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Click here for a summary of Vaera. Click here for the full text of Vaera in English. |
 The second plague was frogs. |
Text Studies
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Social Action and Environmentalism
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| 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 |
| Who Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart? Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg |
Four Steps of Liberation Rabbi Toba Spitzer, socialaction.com |
| The Earth is the Lord’s David Goldblatt, Canfei Nesharim |
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From the Denominations
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Pluralism and Outreach
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| Bearing Fruit in Old Age Rabbi Bradley Artson, American Jewish University |
Environmental Appreciation Rabbi Shimon Felix, Bronfman Youth Fellowships |
| Thanks When Thanks Are Due Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, Jewish Theological Seminary |
Unwilling Audiences Rabbi Kerry Olitzky, Big Tent Judaism |
| Brothers Bringing Redemption Rabbi Avraham Fischer, Orthodox Union |
Part of a Process Regina Stein, CLAL |
| Serpents & Snakes Yossi Ziffer, UJA-Federation of New York |
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Multimedia |
The Shechinah: A Supernal Mother Dr. Sharon Koren, Women of Reform Judaism |
| Parshat Vaera Quiz Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies |
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| Parshat Vaera Challah Julie Seltzer |
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| Parshat Vaera for Families Torah Topics for Today |
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| Freedom Within Limits Torah Topics for Today |
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| Free Will Torah Topics for Today |
Return to the index of weekly Torah portions.
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Avraham
Pronounced: AHVR-rah-ham, Origin: Hebrew, Abraham in the Torah, considered the first Jew.
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Haftarah
Pronounced: hahf-TOErah or hahf-TOE-ruh, Origin: Hebrew, a selection from one of the biblical books of the Prophets that is read in synagogue immediately following the Torah reading.
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Torah
Pronunced: TORE-uh, Origin: Hebrew, the Five Books of Moses.
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