Va'era Parashat Hashavua

Va'era

"ויאמר ה' אל משה ראה נתתיך אלוקים לפרעה ואהרן אחיך יהיה נביאך" ( שמות ז,א)

And the LORD said unto Moses: 'See, I have set thee in God's stead to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

During the Exodus the nation of Israel had two leaders, Moses and Aaron. What was the role of each one? Rashi explains that Moses was the one that judged and hit Pharaoh, while Aaron was the interpreter. In the desert, he explains, they also had different roles towards the nation. Moses was the king and judge, while Aaron established peace between individuals and between the nation and their Father in heaven. Two brothers, two leaders that complement one another. Truthfully, their sister Miriam also joins then as a leader during the Exodus. In the dessert, the nation receives three presents because of their merit: the manna because of Moses, the Clouds of Glory because of Aaron, and the water well because of Miriam.

Moses, as a king is concerned with the Parnassah of the nation, hence the manna. Aaron who made peace between Israel and Hashem brought them the Clouds of Glory, Hashem's presence.

During the final redemption we will also have two leaders, Mashiach and Elijah the prophet. Mashiach is the king parallel to Moses, and Elijah is like Aaron that comes to return the hearts of the parents to the children and the hearts of the children to the parents. May we merit the final redemption speedily in our days!

יהי רצון שנזכה לביאת גואל במהרה בימנו!