Vaera (וארא – And I Appeared)
Exodus 6:2–9:35 and Ezekiel 28:25–29:21
This Torah portion tells the story of the confrontation between Moses and Pharaoh and describes the first seven plagues inflicted upon Egypt(1). In the haftarah, the prophet Ezekiel announces the gathering of Israel and the judgment of Egypt(1) for its arrogance.
Exodus 9:23
וַה’ נָתַן קֹלֹת וּבָרָד, וַתִּהֲלַךְ אֵשׁ אָרְצָה; וַיַּמְטֵר ה’ בָּרָד
And Hashem sent thunder and hail,
and fire ran along the ground; and Hashem caused hail to fall.
In 2022, the new Australian Prime Minister(2) overturned the decision of his predecessor(3), who had recognized West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Since then, the government has started using the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” to refer to Judea and Samaria, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, and an increase in antisemitic incidents has been noted. Since 2022, Australia has experienced several extreme weather events, including violent cyclones, hailstorms, especially in Brisbane(4), floods, and large-scale fires.
The Brisbane Synagogue, located in the city center, was inaugurated in 1886. Designed by architect Richard Gailey, it is the oldest active synagogue in Queensland. Its neo-Romanesque style is distinguished by a stone façade and round arches. The stained glass windows were made by the famous Mayer of Munich factory(5). It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register(6) due to its historical and architectural significance.
(1) Egypt symbolizes oppression, idolatry, tyranny, and the arrogance of forces opposed to the divine will.
(2) Anthony Albanese, leader of the Australian Labor Party, elected in 2022, with the next elections scheduled for 2025.
(3) Scott Morrison, an evangelical Pentecostal Christian, member of the Liberal Party of Australia, served as Minister for Finance from 2015 to 2018 and Prime Minister from 2018 to 2022.
(4) In Brisbane, in 2022, tennis ball-sized hailstones caused significant damage.
(5) Founded in 1847 in Munich, Germany, the Mayer of Munich factory is recognized worldwide for the exceptional quality of its handmade stained glass windows.
(6) This listing recognizes the building as a key element of the region’s historical and cultural heritage and prohibits any alterations to the building that would affect its architectural integrity.