Seeing Hashem
The name of each Parsha tells us about the lessons that can be learned from it. The word וארא means “and I appeared”. The lesson that we can learn from this name is that we should serve Hashem in a way of “seeing” Him. What does serving Hashem through “seeing” Him mean?
Body and Soul - Light and Dark
Every person is made up of two parts, a body and a soul, which are compared to darkness and light. The body is compared to darkness, and the soul lights up the body with the light of Torah and Mitzvot. Just like a person’s body can darken the light of his/her neshama/soul, the world also has a “body” which can darken its kedusha/holiness. The “body” of the world is Golut.
Why is it So Dark? Turn on the Light!
At the end of פרשת שמות, when Golut Mitzrayim was extremely dark and difficult, Moshe Rabbeinu complained to Hashem and asked, “Why did You do bad to these people?” Moshe Rabbeinu wanted to understand why the Jews had to suffer such a terrible, dark Galut/exile. When the Galut/exile is too dark it can cause a Jew to become depressed and lose strength, which will make it difficult for him to serve Hashem in the way he is supposed to- with joy.
Look Deeper
Hashem’s answer is “וארא”, one must see Hashem in the darkness of the world. It’s not enough to believe, or even to know and understand, that Hashem runs the world and watches over us. Each person must recognize Hashem’s presence in the same way as if he could actually see Hashem. What’s the difference between knowing and seeing?
Seeing is Believing
When a person hears and believes that something exists it’s possible to convince them out of it. Once the person sees it for themselves though, nothing in the world can change their mind. We must remember Hashem in even the darkest Galut/exile by looking for the G-diness in the world. Seeing Hashem in even the darkest places is the only way to make sure that we will survive the Galut/exile and continue to serve Him.
We Still Must Ask, Even Though We Know the Answer
Everything in Torah teaches us a lesson. Moshe Rabbeinu’s compliant to Hashem about the darkness of Golut/exile teaches us that we should not grow complacent here. Even as we “see” Hashem in even the darkest places, even though we are now free to daven, to learn Torah, and to serve Hashem as we choose, even in Golut/exile, we still shouldn’t let ourselves feel comfortable. We must constantly ask Hashem why the Golut/exile is so dark and daven for the Geula/redemption!
(Taken from The Rebbe’s Lekutei Sichot vol 15)
____________ answered the explained the Parsha:
Good
Very Good
Excellent
helped @ home by:
helping prepare for Shabbat
Setting up and/or clearing the Shabbat table
Gave mommy and daddy a hug
participated in Shul:
Went to shul and sat next to Daddy/Mommy to daven and listen to all/some of the Torah reading
Parent Signature _________________________ Date____________
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