24/25 January 2025, 25 Tevet 5785

I have heard my people’s suffering.
I have also heard the Israelites’ groaning…

Hearing, listening and responding to anguish is the theme of this week’s portion, Va’era – and right now in Israel and Gaza. If this is the beginning of the end of suffering, then these are auspicious days, full of fragile hope. But we know too well that hope alone will not suffice. This week’s inauguration of the 47th President may strengthen or diminish the chances of a true cessation of fighting, safe return of the hostages, aid being allowed into Gaza and establishing security. We watch with bated breath to see whether he will grow into and live out his word.

In a direct echo of this week’s portion, Moses, who finds his words hard, delivers a clear message:

וַֽאֲנִ֖י עֲרַ֥ל שְׂפָתָֽי

I am a man of blocked lips

I find his description of himself so intriguing.
The specifics of his difficulty are much discussed. Rashi uses the noun balbus, stuttering or stammering (from which comes the modern French verb balbutier, to stutter), to describe this ‘blockedness’ of lips.

More interesting is the idea of communication. Moses recognises swiftly what is important to say, to articulate and to pass on.
His message through the next four books of Torah will be consistent. We have heard and watched your pain and want to ensure safety and contentment for you in the future. The people know they can rely on Moses’ words.

Words matter.

Our breakfast shiur this Shabbat will be with Paul Harris (bio below). He has harnessed the words of his late wife, Rina Wolfson, on parenting, Jewish life, synagogues and what matters in life. He has published them for their young daughters and also for posterity. This is what she left, what she stood for.

In this moment when we think with great anticipation of the power and integrity of words, do come and be with us on Shabbat. It feels just what we need.

Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca

10am Breakfast Shiur

With Paul Harris. Sharing the life and work of Rina Wolfson. ‘Being Rina: The Collected Writings of Rina Wolfson’

Senior Partner at a leading London law firm, Paul Harris is a highly renowned criminal defence solicitor, and has worked on cases connected to the Hillsborough disaster, Extinction Rebellion protests, and the Post Office sub-postmasters. Serving as a Masorti Judaism Trustee and deputy on the Board of Deputies, Paul is an NNLS member, and most importantly, father to Ava and Grace and stepfather to Bz.