Shabbat Va'era

Written by Dr. Helena Miller Monday, 23 January 2006

D’var Torah for LBC — CJE Graduation 2006

Dr. Helena Miller
Director of Education and Professional Development

This coming week’s sedra is Va’era. God tells Moses that the time has come to free the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Our graduands today might think that the end of their studies also marks their freedom from slavery, although we would like to think that here at the College, the lecturers and tutors are inspiring and nurturing teachers, not cruel taskmasters.

We read in the sedra that Pharoah is not easily convinced to free the Israelites. Heavy punishments, in the form of plagues are sent each time Pharoah hardens his heart. I would like to make two brief points that reflect on this section of torah and that relate to our work with our students here at LBC-CJE.

Firstly, the focus for this week’s sedra is the story of the first 7 plagues. But, as Nechama Leibowitz writes, the purpose of the Torah portion goes far beyond the plain description. It is to describe the relentless attempt to break Pharoah’s arrogant heart and teach him to know the Lord. At LBC-CJE our students are always taught to look beyond the surface, to look for the deeper meaning.

Secondly, according to Gunther Plaut, Moses is portrayed as both an emerging leader of the Jewish people and as a religious innovator. Here at LBC-CJE we are in the business of developing emerging leaders. We hope that we are also in the business of developing religious innovators.

The Israelites in our sedra portion are about to embark on a journey of 40 years. Our graduands today have, thankfully, completed their particular academic journeys in far less time. We applaud their efforts with admiration as they prepare to graduate.