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Judy’s Progress

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A weekly Dvar Torah published in loving memory of Mrs Judy Feiglin A"H Nylgyyp y"n ldn[m Mjnm 'r /b h"[ hwj ltyg /rm /mvn ywl[l

Vol 3 No. 13 25 Teves 5774 December 28 2013 Vaera

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Parshas Vaera

Parshas Vaera begins the first part of the exodus of the Jewish nation from Egypt. Moshe Rabbeinu was recognised as Hashem's messenger, and he delivered messages to Pharaoh in warning of forthcoming punishment. The ten plagues were the climactic events following this. The third plague was the plague of lice. The Torh tells us that all of the dust of the land turned to lice. Prior to this, the head magicians of Pharaoh's court; the best sorcerers in all of Egypt had a conversation with Moshe. They said, "You are planning performing mere sorcery!" His response was, "In the city that grows vegetables, bring vegetables to sell - for that is where the buyers gather." They were mocking him, and he responded in kind. The Alter of Kelm, Rav Simcha Zissel ‫זצ״ל‬, asked that Moshe's response seems strange - he appears to be admitting to the claims of Pharaoh's magicians! If one would answer that he was merely mocking them, what was the point of saying anything? He deduces from the fact that Chazal wrote this discussion down in the Talmud, there must be something we can extract from here to benefit our character. We know that Hashem's signature is truth - Emes. Therefore, one who comes close to truth, is in essence becoming close to Hashem. This closeness provides a person with the greatest possible enjoyment in this world, and more so in the next world. There are three categories of people who seek such truth: first, those who have worked on their character to the point that they do not possess any longing to do bad. The second group consists of those who have desires to do bad, but have the strength to realise that it is bad, and can exercise immense self control to not follow these base desires. Reaching such a level is a tremendous achievement. Finally come those too weak minded to control themselves. They bend easily to the whim of their desire and follow their heart, rather than the intellectual logic that should spur them to do the right thing. They even convince themselves that their actions are correct. Despite this, they still seek truth - should someone come and correct their errors, they would

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listen. We see that this category of people still have a unique closeness to Hashem, their acceptance of truth from others displays their real will. Within each of these categories exist many sub categories. The lowest rung consists of those who are so distant from truth that they want reality to bend to their will - they are like someone who wants daytime at night. The Egyptian sorcerers are prime examples of people who foolishly believed that reality can be set by their will. Aharon turned his staff into a snake, and it devoured the 'snakes' that the Egyptians had conjured after it had reverted to a stick. This was something that was beyond the Egyptians abilities and out of the realm of magic. Their statement that Moshe was merely performing witchcraft implies that they could not bring themselves to understand the truth - that it was all from Hashem. If one has a fruit that contains poison but cannot see it, they are still drawn by its sweetness and could convince themselves that they want to eat it and will not come to any harm. Moshe's response to these intelligent people, the sorcerers, that they are people who desire to change reality to meet their wants, and therefore there is no purpose in arguing with them. They certainly understood this. Moshe's reference to the vegetable market was that in a place like Mitzrayim, where witchcraft was widespread, they should be able to recognise truth from the falsehoods of their craft. Their blindness stemmed from their desire overriding their intelligence. We must always assess whether we are seeing reality as it is, or if we are attempting to distort the reality to comply with our own desires. Following guidance from our leaders is one method we can use to ensure that we take the right path. Furthermore, if we acknowledge the reality and ensure that our desires line up with truth, we will, with Hashem's help be successful in our endeavours.

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Judy’s Progress

Vol 3 No. 13 25 Teves 5774 December 28 2013 Vaera

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d"[v/ /bt h"k araw /vrp

Dear Family and Friends, We hope you are enjoying the Divrei Torah every week.We hope that they bring some additional Torah thoughts to some Shabbos tables around the world! If you would like to support Torah learning in Israel in Judy's h"[ merit, we have added a "Donate" button to the blog proceeds go directly to Kollel Zichron Pinchas Meir in Yerushalayim. ($US only at this time). Anyone who is interested in contributing/writing a Dvar Torah for a particular week or sponsoring an edition please email us at [email protected] can also email us at that address to subscribe (or unsubscribe) or you can read it on the blog at http://www.judysprogress.com/ Wishing everyone a Good Shabbos, All the best, Sarah Abraham & Yitzchak Feiglin and families

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Proudly published by Judy's children, Sarah Abraham and Yitzchak Feiglin and families. Read why on the blog. Keeping memories alive and spreading the light of Torah.

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