D'var Torah

In this week’s Torah portion, Vaeira, we hear part of the dramatic Exodus story: Moses’s quest for freedom for his people, Pharaoh’s hardened heart throughout the first seven plagues, and the emotions of fear, anticipation, suspense, and hope. When will Pharaoh let the Israelites go?

Today, many around the world still fight for freedom from oppression, and as Jews, we hold the story of our slavery and redemption close and often feel called to join that fight. This week, the story of Parshat Vaeira feels especially resonant as it mirrors the unfolding news of the hostages still held in Gaza. Each day, we await updates, hoping and praying for their freedom.

Parshat Vaeira teaches us that the path to liberation is never easy. Each time Moses demands freedom, Pharaoh resists, making liberty seem further away than ever before. Over the past fifteen months, we’ve experienced similar frustration and heartbreak, yearning for the hostages’ safe return. Yet Moses reminds us of the power of persistence- he never gives up, returning again and again to Pharaoh to advocate for his people.

I see those qualities of Moses in so many of you, my Temple Rodef Shalom family. Over the past fifteen months, this community has tirelessly rallied for the hostages. We have traveled to Israel, spoken with hostage families, attended weekly rallies, walks, learning events, and fundraisers, made phone calls and written letters, shared prayers, and spoken their names out loud and in our hearts. This dedication and leadership are inspiring, and I believe, paved the way for the miracle we witnessed on Sunday when Doron, Emily, and Romi arrived back in Israel and were reunited with their families.

We don’t fully know what these young women have endured. But when we saw the first photos of Doron, Emily, and Romi hugging their mothers, we collectively exhaled and marveled at their resilience and strength. All we can do now is pray they now have the time and space to heal and rebuild with their loved ones.

At the beginning of Parshat Vaeira, God reminds Moses of the promise of redemption. Moses has to be the one to hold onto that faith and carry it forward. In these uncertain times, the return of Doron, Emily, and Romi renews my strength and keeps the hope alive. We don’t know what the next days and weeks will bring, and while we hope for more joyful reunions, we also know heartbreak and pain will lie ahead. May we continue to draw strength from one another and keep demanding that they all come home- and that our people be let go.