From the Desk of Rabbi Cantor Judy

In the dead of winter, we read about the inner darkness experienced when we feel enslaved by people, fear, what if’s, and complacency. This week, we enter into the second chapter in the Book of Exodus, called Vaeira. It recalls the story of how Moses and Aaron, with the support of God, attempt to free the Israelites from slavery. Pharaoh and his people, facing the first seven of the ten plagues, is a narrative that feels distant yet speaks directly to our lives. Did you know that “Pharaoh” spelled backward is "oreph," meaning “stiff neck”? The Torah tells us Pharaoh had a hard heart. Who has a hard heart and a stiff neck? An idol—an ego-driven Pharaoh who cannot fathom being wrong, who resists change, who clings to control.

The seven plagues weren’t just punishments; they were wake-up calls. Each plague carved away Pharaoh’s illusion of power, yet he refused to soften. How often do we do the same? We all have an inner Pharaoh—a voice that says, “I must control, I must be right, I must do more.” That voice can become our own taskmaster, leaving us feeling like we never measure up. But the Torah also reminds us: there is a spark of godliness within us, and a little bit of Aharon—the one who speaks peace, who brings light. Our work is not to be perfect; it is to be human. We work for God, not for “Pharaohs.” We are employed by the Source of Life, not by the tyranny of “never enough.”

So how do we bring this wisdom into our day? By loosening the stiff neck. By softening the hard heart. By remembering that every breath can exhale kindness and continue our holy work. When the inner taskmaster rises, let us pause and say: I am not Pharaoh. I am a servant of God. My worth is not in endless doing, but in being present, open, and willing to change.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Cantor Judy