Va'era, the Holocaust, and the Power of Jewish Questioning

In parashah Va’era, we gather momentum towards the Exodus narrative, upon which Jewish identity and culture are founded. In this chapter, God casts plague after plague upon the Egyptian people, sends Moses back and forth to negotiate the Jewish exodus with Pharaoh, and causes Pharaoh to renege on his promises that He can continue to demonstrate his power and might to the people. 

There’s a lot here for a secular mind such as mine to chew on. Does God have an ego? Is it wrong of God to cause Pharoah’s heart to harden and yet continue with the destructive plagues? For whom was this written, and why?

This Week’s Theme: Doubt and Questioning are Celebrated in Judaism

Moses, one of the greatest Jewish leaders, is full of doubt. He questions his ability, his purpose, and God's assurances, and somehow, God doesn’t punish him for this or find someone else for the job—He meets Moses where he is and continues to guide him.

This is what makes Judaism unique: doubt and questioning are not just allowed; they are foundational to our tradition. From Moses’s hesitation to the Talmudic debates to modern Jewish philosophy, questioning has always been part of our identity.

This parashah coincided with the approach of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a period during which Jewish identity, faith, and resilience are deeply reflected upon. For generations, Jews have asked painful questions:

• Where was God during the Holocaust?

• What does it mean to be Jewish after such horror?

• When history has given us so many reasons to hide or shun our Jewish identities, what is it that keeps us connected? 

Just like Moses, we do not need certainty to move forward. Judaism does not demand blind faith or acceptance of any teachings or laws—it embraces doubt, struggle, and resilience. Our story has never been about having all the answers; being Jewish has always been about asking, wrestling, and choosing to stay connected.