Parshat Vaera
Rabbi Avrohom Gordimer

The sequence of narrative in Parshas Vaera is quite puzzling. To be precise, smack in the middle of text in which Moshe Rabbeinu is instructed by Hashem to again go to Pharaoh, we find a partial genealogy list, which commences with Reuven's family and concludes with that of Levi (Moshe and Aharon). Why is this lineage of such import at this point?

I believe that the answer lies in the very essence of Parshas Vaera. The parsha begins, "And I appeared to Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaakov as K-l Sha-ai, but my Name Ad-ai I did not make known to them." (6:3). Some commentators take this to signify that God worked though nature and by private revelation when He related with Bnei Yisroel and the world during the Patriarchal Period, whereas He communicated with the world at the time of Moshe via open miracles and public display of His message.

This change in Hashem's method of communication and revelation starkly redefined His relationship with Bnei Yisroel, as they would now interact with God "Panim el panim". (See Targum Yonasan ben Uziel and Ramban ibid.) Thus, it was appropriate to again present Jewish lineage, as a new relationship with Hashem and His people had commenced. It may also be for this reason the the genealogy in Parshas Vaera ends with Moshe and Aharon, as the relationship was redefined through them. It is as if the Torah was starting to enumerate our relationship with God afresh, and it underwent a change when it reached Moshe and Aharon.

May it be Hashem's will that we again soon merit to experience His open revelation and complete salvation.

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