This week’s parsha, Va’era, invites us to reflect on the challenge of speaking up when it feels impossible. Rabbi Miriam Lorie, in her 90-second sermon, reminds us of Moshe’s struggle as he stood before Pharaoh, burdened by a "heavy tongue" and the fear of being ignored or dismissed. How often do we feel the same?
Rabbi Miriam comments:
There are so many reasons not to speak at the moment. Like Moshe, we may feel "heavy of tongue" - like we are not the right person to articulate our views. Or, also like Moshe, that we won't be listened to anyway, laughed away by Pharaoh.
But the Torah insists that even though both these things may be true, we should speak our truth anyway, humbly and respectfully. Even if we know from the outset that over and over, we won't be listened to. It eventually will have an impact, and in the short term there are other silent observers quietly listening.
After all, without this, we could still be in Egypt.
With thanks to Rabbi Zvi Hirshfield and Aviva Lauer in the @pardesinstitute parasha podcast for this idea and so many more.
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