Parashat Va'era
„Stubbornly clinging always to a single opinion, and being bound to it by the cords of the sin that has become habit — whether in deeds or in views — is a disease that comes from being sunk in harsh bondage.”From Orot HaTeshuvah 5:5
In this week's parashah, Moshe continues his efforts to free the enslaved people from Egypt. Pharaoh makes the labor heavier, and the people "did not listen to Moshe, because of shortness of spirit and hard bondage." When we are deep within bondage, we struggle to listen. We struggle to see light. We struggle to move forward. And this difficulty, as the Ralbag explains on the parashah and the Rav in Ein Ayah, comes both from the people and from Moshe himself. In order to plan a strategy for leaving the enormous difficulties in which we find ourselves, we must release. We must allow ourselves to look into the depth of reality and release all that holds us back and all the shackles upon our hands and our thoughts.
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This study is dedicated to the safety and return of Ohad Yahalomi (49), who was abducted from his home in Nir Oz together with his son.
From the community archive of Mishpetei HaRav Kook — studying Rav Kook's teachings since 2011.