Parashat Bo 5768

We jump into this week's Torah Portion, Parashat Bo, in the middle of the Exodus story. Moses and Aaron are trying to convince Pharaoh to free their people, Pharaoh is refusing to let the Israelites leave Egypt, and God is visiting plagues on the Egyptians. It is the Passover story we all know so well!

But, Rabbi ben Bag Bag teaches in the Mishna, "Turn it over and over because everything is in it" (Pirkei Avot 5:22). Yes, our Torah is meant to be flipped and twisted and challenged, for it is overflowing with learning. It is simply up to us to engage it.

This past week, while attending the annual conference of the Pacific Association of Reform Rabbis, I had the privilege of learning with Rabbi Chaim Seidler-Feller. Rabbi Seidler-Feller flipped this week's parashah for me. Out of it, I have found a new blessing.

Rabbi Seidler-Feller taught that there was only one person in Egypt who was sure he knew who God was. Moses wasn't sure. Two weeks ago, even Moses had to stop and ask God to reveal the Divine name (Moses asks God: "When I come to the Israelites and say to them 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is God's name?' what shall I say to them?" Exodus 3:13). The Israelites weren't sure. Throughout their desert wandering, the Israelites doubted God, even after God performed miracles meant to prove Divine might and existence. Pharaoh was the only person who knew who God was...Pharaoh was sure that he himself was "God." Pharaoh reasoned: If Pharaoh was "God," why should he listen to Adonai?

We learn a fundamental lesson here. Our tradition teaches us that absolute certainty can be misguided. Our ancestors challenged God, questioned God, and wrestled with belief in God's power.

I take comfort in the struggles of our ancestors. While the process of questioning and rethinking (the stuff of "turning") can certainly be more difficult than just knowing, it often leads us closer to truth. My blessing for this Shabbat is that we continue our turning, delight in our wrestling, and open ourselves to all that we still have yet to discover.

For further reflection:
1. What questioning and wrestling currently engages you?