Vaerah 2021 (December)

1“And Elohim spoke to Moshe and said to him I am Adonai. And I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in (or with) El Shaddai, I My name Adonai I did not make known to them. And I set up my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan the land in which they lived. And I have heard the cries of the Children of Israel that Egypt is enslaving them. And I remembered my covenant. Therefore, say to the Children I am Adonai and I will take them out from beneath the burdens of Egypt and save them from their toils and I will redeem them with an outstretched arm and great judgments”

2The theme of the Book of Names continues here in this first section of Vaerah. The name here is God’s name- namely Adonai or the Yud Kay Vuv Kay. Rashi explains the Pasuk saying, “I am the God who is faithful to reward those so deserving. Not for naught did I send you Moshe to Egypt but rather to fulfill my promise to the Avot.” Rashi sees the Pasuk as a response to Moshe’s complaint to God, “Why did you do bad things to the Children of Israel and why did you send me?” (Ex 5:22) According to Rashi the Avot’s relationship with God was incomplete for it lacked fulfillment of the promise. Moshe is now being told that the time has come for God’s special name “Adonai” to come forward to demonstrate that God is one who fulfills His commitments and promises.

3Ibn Ezra explains the Pasuk entirely differently. In his view the Pasuk is focused on prophecy in general and on Moshe in particular. The special name “Adonai” represents the performance of miracles by God and by Moshe His special emissary. Moshe’s prophetic power is such that he will be able to change the very nature of the world in order to fulfill his mission. Moshe’s tenure was miraculous from the very beginning. From the burning bush through the travels in the wilderness miracles were everywhere. This is different from the Avot who, although they had prophecy, they were not performing miracles.

4The Ramban explains the Pasuk as referring to the quality of Moshe’s interaction with God as compared with the Avot. The Avot, argues the Ramban, saw God only at night in a dream like vision. Moshe was able to see God during the day in a clear vision. “Aspaklaria Meirah”. Describing Moshe’s prophecy God Himself says at the end of Parshat Behaalotcha “Peh el peh adaber bo umareh velo bechidus utmunat Adonai yabit”. I speak to Moshe Person to person with no intermediary, he sees directly the visage of Adonai.” (Numbers 12:8). There the special name of God is on full display reflecting Moshe’s special power.

5All the above interpretations come to fruition in the Book of Names. As promised, God rewards the descendants of the Avot with redemption and with wealth both physical and spiritual. So many miracles are recorded in the book that one is tempted to re-name it the Book of Miracles. Not only Moshe but the people experience Prophetic visions both at the tearing of the sea and at Sinai.

6Dedicated to the memory of Cousin Joel Shulman AH whose loss is felt every day by his friends and family.