Spirituality TORAH PORTION ,.. J E WIS H WOMEN'S FOUNDATION The Purpose Of The Plagues OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT Enhancing the Lives of Jewish Women Announcing the Jewish Women's Foundation's 2010 GRANT CYCLE Parshat Va'ayra: Exodus 6:2-9:35; Ezekiel; 28:25-29:21. The Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit is pleased to announce that it is now accepting I requests for funding in 2010. Letters of Intent are due no later than noon on February 16, 2010. For a grant application timeline, guidelines, instructions and forms, please visit our website: www.jewishdetroit.org/jwf and click on 2010 Grant Guidelines and Instructions ; or contact Helen Katz, Director, at katz@jfmd.org or 248-203-1483. The Jewish Women's Foundation Mission The Jewish Women's Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit is dedicated to expandin g opportunities and enrichin g the lives of Jewish women and girls through strategic grant making and education. The Foundation empowers its Trustees as philanthropists, social advocates and leaders. 1555700 PHIL TEWEL KOSHER CATERERS bi Save $300 when you book before January 31, 2010 c-Ats44.343sAtov20 ( / 0 10 DAYS 9 NIGHTS MARCH 29 - APRIL 7, 2010 CELEBRATING OUR 16TH YEAR ASTHE ONLY PACIFIC COASTAL LUXURY PROGRAM INTHE UNITED STATES! n this week's Torah Portion, truly are punished for their iniqui- Va'ayra, we have the beginning ties. Without real justice, existence of the plagues in Egypt and the would seem meaningless. Thus, God resulting exodus of the Jewish People wants to show clearly that Divine from slavery. Justice does, indeed, exist. It is clear from the verses But I think an even more of the Torah that these important reason can be events were intended to given for God's demonstra- teach Pharaoh and the tion of the power of His Egyptians as well as the might through destruction. Jews and, in fact, all of Human nature seems to mankind for all future gen- be such that goodness, erations, that God exists, is benevolence, kindness and One and is all-powerful. mercy are all too often God's omnipotence taken for granted. is demonstrated by the We all see in our own Rabbi Eliezer plagues against Egypt lives that the goodness and Co hen and by the destruction of blessings that God showers Specia I to the Pharaoh and his army at upon us — our very lives Jewish News the splitting of the sea. But and families, our pleasures one must ask: If God is and successes, our joys indeed a God "... merciful and gra- and achievements — are only rarely cious, long-suffering and abundant in attributed to God. This was the very kindness and truth, extending mercy lesson that God attempted to teach to thousands and forgiving ...", the Jewish People during their 40- as God describes Himself (Exodus year trek through the wilderness. The 34:6,7), why demonstrate His exis- world into which we were born is a tence and power through devastation wonderful place; all of our existence and suffering? is a loving gift of a benevolent God. In fact, Moses, himself, calls upon But how many of us, and how God to "... magnify Your power as often, do we realize and acknowledge You said: 'The Lord is long-suffering this truth? When suffering takes with abundant mercy, forgiving sin place, we question God — but we are ...'" (Numbers 14:17,18). God's real happy to accept the goodness without strength is the power of love and acknowledgment or gratitude to its mercy, not vindictiveness, punish- real source. We can understand and ment and the cause of human suffer- appreciate the awesome power of ing. Why would God seem to justify destructive forces, but rarely do we this false characterization, (such as think of power and force when we that given by traditional Christianity) experience or think of benevolence. that the God of Judaism is a stern, Truly, that God demonstrates His vengeful, angry God of punishment, awesome power to impress us with rather than a loving God of mercy His strength through devastation and and forgiveness? suffering says more about us than it It seems to me that there are two says about Him. El possible correct answers to this ques- tion. First, God is demonstrating that there is, in fact, ultimate justice even Eliezer Cohen is rabbi at Or Chadash if we don't perceive it. The wicked of Oak Park / Huntington Woods. Conversations tartin • at $239 oub eOccupancy, a us ax gratuity I 248-661-4050 • 1-800-525-0035 • vvvvw.mypassover.com 1564630 30 Why do we so often take God's goodness and blessings for granted? What can we do to be more aware and grateful for God's love? Would it even have been possible for God to impress the world with His omnipotence through goodness?