Vaera - Silence Amidst Chaos

Why is the parsha split up in such a way that we get only the first seven plagues in this week's parsha? What is the significance of the numbers seven and ten? Why is it so important for us to know that the Jews were singled out and that the plagues did not touch their area in Egypt? Why is the Nile river turned into blood instead of just being dried up? What is the concept of blood, which is 'dam' in Hebrew, and what is the relationship to 'dom' in Hebrew, which means silence?

Find out in this week's parsha podcast.

Running time: 20:04

Vayigash - Tears, Silence and Shechina

What is the difference between the crying Yosef does with Benjamin, as opposed to his crying with his other brothers? Why does Benjamin merit to have the Divine Presence in his portion? What is the secret of the silence of Benjamin, Yosef, Rochel and Esther? Why do Yosef and Benjamin cry about the destruction of the temples and the tabernacle?

Find out in this week's Parsha Podcast.

Running time: 24:07

Fields of Judah

Fields of Judah, sing your song
As the sun sets and its rays cast long shadows
across the stalks lazily waving
In the soft breeze
voices whispering as they sing
Trust, just trust
for Hashem is all you need
He's with you at every turn
even as we sway to and fro
He's with us, too
For all the fear melts away
With trust.

There's no experience like being out in the field, talking to Hashem for a while, then pausing for a bit to listen for His response.

Hashem's voice sings quietly. It can't be heard above the noise. I must quiet all the busy voices if I want to hear Him.

But once I hear that soothing voice, something changes in me.

Because I can't be the same once I've heard the voice of truth.

And there are many 'voices of truth,' or, more accurately, voices that claim to be the voice of truth.

But there is only one real voice of truth. Or perhaps one voice of real truth. Is 'real truth' redundant? It would be redundant, I guess, if there were no other voices claiming to be that voice.

Once I've tasted that subtle sweetness, though, something has changed permanently. And even if I ignore it for a while, that taste of realness now discolors all of the other sweetnesses. Because they are only superficially sweet. When you taste the real thing, there is no turning back. At least not without pain.

I need to return to that truth. When I am there, I know it, because it just resonates at some place deep inside of me. It's not in my mind. It's in the same place where I laugh and cry. That place that is beyond explanation. I couldn't take you there unless you've been there. But maybe I could help you find it yourself.

People ask where Hashem is. And I recently heard that people really need to ask something else - where they are.

And I couldn't help but think that the two questions are not really two questions at all.

And is there an answer to that question?

But it is good to ask.

And if you ask me why I'm laughing, can I answer?

And if you ask why I'm crying?

But it is good to ask.