Endings are not always like their beginnings #devartorah#parashat Vaera

By the end of his life, musician Giuseppe Verdi was recognized as a master of dramatic composition.  His works astonished the world of music with a power, subtlety, and brilliance that marked the ultimate in Italian grand opera.  But he didn’t begin his career with such success.  As a youth, he was denied entrance to the Milan Conservatory because he lacked the necessary training.  Although his musical abilities were apparent in childhood, as an innkeeper’s son he did not possess the formal training required.  Yet, time does strange things.  After Verdi’s fame had spread worldwide, the school was renamed the “Verdi Conservatory of Music.”  This turn of events is a reminder that endings are not always like their beginnings.

Verdi’s experience reminds me of the Jewish people’s experience in Egypt.  Pharaoh enslaved the Jewish people.  They built the store cities of Pitom and Raamses. (Exodus 1:11) After God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh, “Let my people go.” (Exodus 5:1), their situation became even worse.  “That same day Pharaoh charged the taskmasters and foremen of the people, saying, “You shall no longer provide the people with straw for the making of bricks as heretofore; let them go and gather straw for themselves.  But impose upon them the same quota of bricks as they have been making heretofore; do not reduce it, for they are shirkers; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God!’  Let heavier work be laid upon the men; let them keep at it and not pay attention to deceitful promises.” (Exodus 5:6-9)  The Israelites’ spirits were crushed by the cruel bondage. (Exodus 6:7)

In this week’s Torah portion, God promised that their end will not be like their beginning.  He instructed Moses to tell the Children of Israel, “I am the Lord.  I will free you from the labors of the Egyptians and deliver you from their bondage.  I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and through extraordinary chastisements.  And I will take you to be My people, and I will be your God…I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession, I the Lord.”  (Exodus 6:6-8)  I know that I won’t be spoiling the end of the story if I tell you that God kept all of his promises.  We shall read about the first seven plagues this week. Next week we shall read about the last three and the grand exodus from Egypt on the first night of Passover.  In two weeks we shall read all about the splitting of the Red Sea and how the Israelites crossed over in safety.  Indeed our sojourn in Egypt ended very differently than its beginning.

Perhaps you find yourself in your own personal Egypt. No matter how many problems, troubles, and travails may fill your life now, God’s promises found in this week’s Torah portion gives all of us hope that we can look forward to a glorious happy ending.

Shabbat shalom and may 2022 be a better, happier, and healthier New Year,

Rabbi Gary Greene