Parashat Va’eira

Mission Possible

by Rav Yosef Zvi Rimon
Founder and Board Chairman, JobKatif

In this week’s parasha Moshe is finally beginning the mission assigned to him by G-d. He met with Pharaoh to plead for the release of his people and he has shown the signs to the people of Israel so they will believe him as well. Moshe is finally on his way. But if we remember from last week’s parasha it took a lot of convincing to get him to this point.

At Moshe’s first encounter with G-d by the burning bush, he couldn’t have had more reasons why G-d shouldn’t send him. He excuses himself saying, “Who am I?” Moshe pleads that he can’t speak properly, that he has a cleft lip and a stutter. He suggests that G-d should send someone else, someone better than he. At that time G-d shows Moshe that he will succeed by giving him the three signs, the snake, leprosy and blood. But, Moshe doesn’t believe and gives the same excuses that he gave in the beginning. G-d answers him and says that He is the one that created man, and He is the one that watches over the whole world, over eyes and over mouths so He can also watch over Moshe. Moshe still refuses and says “Please Master send the one you usually send.” Here Moshe could be referring to Aharon or he could have meant any person but himself.

The Ramban explains that Moshe’s humility was so great that he thought anyone in the world would be able to fulfill this task better then he. G-d gets angry at Moshe, He chose Moshe for this mission and he wants Moshe to take it. Another explanation is that Moshe knew that he wouldn’t be able to completely execute his duty because he knew that he wouldn’t be able to bring the Jewish people into the land of Israel.

When we are assigned a task, we need to know that we may not always think we are the perfect person for the job.  We may not always be successful in fulfilling our task. We must remember however, that Moshe Rabbenu, father of all messengers was not perfect and he wasn’t successful in fulfilling his task completely Despite this there is no one greater then he!

What would have happened if Moshe had not agreed to accept his mission?

Clearly the process of redemption for the Nation of Israel would not have been harmed! The Nation of Israel’s survival is not dependent on any one person, even the greatest of persons. Their redemption would have come from another place.

The only person that would have been harmed would have been Moshe Rabainu. Moshe wouldn’t have become Moshe Rabainu if he had not accepted his mission. He would have been the same holy and spiritual person but lacking the strength, power and greatness he eventually achieves. When Moshe accepts his mission he is transformed into a person with spiritual strength and the power to lead. He is transformed into the father of all prophets. As we know there were no other prophets like Moshe, no one else spoke to G-d face to face.

A person needs to learn to accept his assignment in life even when he feels that he is not perfect and even if he won’t be completely successful. Every person has the strength to succeed at his personal mission.  A person who doesn’t try remains small.

A person should search out his personal mission.  He must search out his family mission and his mission in society in good deeds and helping others. A person who takes on new missions becomes greater then he was before.

May we each find out our personal mission and may G-d give us that strength to take it on and charge forward.

Shabbat Shalom!

Share: