Shabbat Message, Jan. 16, 2026, Parashat Vaera

D’var Torah: Shema Yisrael! When We Can’t Hear What We Need to Hear

In Parshat Va’era (Exodus 6:9), we read: “וְלֹא שָׁמְעוּ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה מִקֹּצֶר רוּחַ וּמֵעֲבֹדָה קָשָׁה” – “But they did not listen to Moses because of shortness of breath and hard labor.”

The Israelites couldn’t receive Moses’ message of redemption—not because they didn’t want freedom, but because their suffering made it impossible to absorb hope. Sometimes we’re so overwhelmed by our current struggles that we can’t hear the very guidance and leadership that could help us.

For reflection around your table:

1. Share a moment of “kotzer ruach” (shortness of spirit): Can you recall a time when stress, exhaustion, or anger made you initially dismiss advice that later proved valuable? What was blocking your ability to receive it?
2. The turning point: Was there a moment when you finally became ready to hear what someone was trying to tell you? What shifted—did circumstances ease, or did you find inner resources despite the difficulty?
3. For the younger participants: Think about a time when practicing something felt “too hard”—maybe learning to ride a bike, mastering a difficult subject, or working on a friendship. Was there advice you initially ignored but later found helpful?
4. Looking forward: The Israelites eventually did leave Egypt despite their initial inability to hear Moses. What helps us stay open to guidance even when things feel overwhelming? How do we cultivate the ability to hear wisdom especially when we need it most?

The beauty of this verse from our parsha is that it doesn’t blame the Israelites—it acknowledges that sometimes our circumstances genuinely impair our ability to receive even the best counsel. The question becomes: How do we create conditions, for ourselves and others, where important messages can break through?

If we, like Moses and the Israelites, start to trust God it becomes even easier to know which direction to go!

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Bolton