From Water to...blood? Parashas Va'aira

B'H


THE 1ST PLAGUE: FROM WATER TO...blood?

In this week's Parsha, "Va'aira", Moses appears with Aharon his
brother be4 Pharaoh, and the 1st of the 10 plagues begin! As we know,
everything in Torah is a lesson for every Jew, in every generation,
forever. Much of the Torah is spent discussing the leaving of Egypt,
the 10 plagues, and life after Egypt in the desert. What, in our
lives, does it mean to 'leave Egypt'? In Hebrew, Egypt is "Mitzrayim."
The word 'Mitzrayim' (with different vowels) can be pronounced
"Maitzarim"-meaning 'constraints' or 'limitations.' To "leave" Egypt,
spiritually, means to go beyond our (real or imagined) limitations and
boundaries in this physical world and in our service of G-d.
How were the Jewish People able to leave Mitzrayim? Through the 10
plagues. Now that we know what leaving "Mitzrayim" means in our lives,
we must figure out the deeper lesson behind each of the plagues (the
tools in which we are to leave our boundaries).
Let's take a look at the 1st plague: The Nile River, the only source
for Egyptian's water, is turned to blood. What are the characteristics
of blood and water?
!st of all, Blood is warm and alive, while water is cold. For one to
break out of his 'Mitzrayim', his/her personal restrictions in service
of Hashem, one must First and Foremost transform his cold approach &
feeling to Judaism and G-d, and bring warmth and energy into his life.
The source for all bad in one's connection to G-d, is a coldness; a
lack of feeling. We must bring life and energy, an enthusiasm. Instead
of, "aw man, why another Fri. Night dinner, I have a movie to catch at
nine", one can think: "I'm eating the 3,400th yr. in a row of Shabbat
Meals of my People. G-d's Presence is Dwelling in the room right now
with my family. He Is Overjoyed that I am dedicating a special time
that He chose, to be together with Him away from the movie for once,
taking pleasure in His Pleasure for a short while." Or whatever does
it for ya. Life was meant to be lived. It helps to learn a bit, sing
or just think for a bit, but feeling is a must. When we realize what a
Jew is; a lamplighter in the world, a child of G-d sent down to G-d's
Garden to perfect it through our work and connect to Him Here, one is
inspired. "Little, insignificant me, is connected to such a great
G-d?"

Life as a Jew: With enthusiasm, life, and warmth.