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Va'eyra. Gratitude


What are you grateful for?

This week our parsha teaches us a phenomenal lesson about indebtedness.


It emerges from one small disparity in the biblical text. At the start of the Plague of Blood, God sends Moses to warn Pharaoh:

“ … I shall strike the water in the Nile with the rod that is in my hand, and it will be turned into blood.” (7:15-17)

But when the plague happens, it is Aaron, not Moses, who is instructed to strike the river:

“Say to Aaron: Take your rod and hold out your arm over the waters of Egypt... that they may turn to blood. (7:19)

Why does Aaron strike the Nile instead of Moses? Rashi comments:

“Since the Nile protected Moses when he was cast into it, it was not struck by him, not with the plague of blood nor with frogs, but instead was struck by Aaron.”

Similarly, the plague of lice in which the dust of the earth is transformed into lice:

“It was not right for the earth to be struck by Moses seeing that it had protected him when he killed the Egyptian (taskmaster) and buried him in the sand (see 2:12). Therefore, it was struck by Aaron.” (Rashi 8:13)

In other words, it would be inappropriate for Moses to strike the river that saved his life, to cause harm to the earth that protected him. When something has bestowed blessings upon us we should acknowledge that goodness.

It would be inappropriate for Moses to strike the river that saved his life, to cause harm to the earth that protected him.

Now, this perspective is remarkable. I can appreciate that we are indebted and thankful to human beings who have expended effort, care and attention, extending kindness to us. But should I be thankful to the chair I sit on, to the car which I drive? Should we extend our gratitude and appreciation even to inanimate objects?

This is a good point to embark on a discussion:

  • Why was it inappropriate for Moses to strike the Nile?

  • Does the Nile which saved him deserve our appreciation? Should I have special respect for my car, my clothing, my home?

  • What is the difference between appreciating people and appreciating objects?

To take this further, a Talmudic passage relates to this idea:

Rava said to Rabba bar Mari: What is the source if the saying: “Do not throw a stone into the well from which you have drunk”? He replied: “… You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land” (Deuteronomy 23:8). Since you lived in their lands, you may not cause them harm.

  • “If there is a well that you drank from, do not throw a stone into it” Why?

Maybe so that others too can drink? Possibly because we should simply value productive, positive elements in the natural world and refrain from harming them, ensure their preservation.

But the prooftext is remarkable. Even though the Egyptians enslaved us, we may not “abhor” or hate them, because after all, they did house our people for 400 years! This is an extreme degree of gratitude.

Gratitude can change our lives. Studies have demonstrated that grateful people are happier, more effective people.

The 11th Century work, Hovot Halevavot (ch.2), speaks about the tendency not to appreciate our blessings and not to express our thanks. It is because:

  1. We quickly get used to our comforts and seek more.

  2. We take our life and the people and things around us for granted, our home, a safe neighbourhood, our beating heart.

  3. We focus on the negative. We notice the mistakes of the people around us but not the positive things that they do for us.

So, let’s do an exercise.

Go around the table and ask everyone to appreciate and thank:

1. A person in your life

2. An object in your life

3. A challenge or difficulty in your life (that is worth appreciating.)

When we practice thanks and gratitude we find that we become more attentive to the good around us and more appreciative of all the things and acts of assistance and kindness that are extended to us each and every day.

Shabbat Shalom!

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