By Rabbi Joshua Dorsch
SAN DIEGO — Twice in this week’s Torah portion, Vaera, Moses claims that he has “uncircumcised lips” and as a result, he should not stand up to Pharaoh and advocate for the Israelites freedom. Many commentators suggest that when Moses says “uncircumcised lips” he was referring to a physical disability. They cite a Midrash that says when Moses was a young child; he was tested in Pharaoh’s palace. Pharaoh placed before baby Moses a gold crown, and a burning piece of coal. If Moses reached for the crown, it would have meant that he was power hungry and a threat to Pharaoh; he would have been put to death. If baby Moses reached for the coal, Moses was not a threat and would have been permitted to grow up and live in the palace. According to the Midrash, as baby Moses began to reach for the crown, an angel pushed his hands towards the burning coal. Moses stuck his hand in his mouth to cool it down, burning his tongue, causing him to stutter. That is why Aaron was sent to help Moses, to support him and advocate with him on behalf of the Israelites and God.
But the Zohar offers a different interpretation. According to the Zohar, Moses’ inability to speak was not because of a physical disability, but rather a spiritual one. It claims that Moses was unable to speak out against tyranny and oppression, and advocate for the Israelites’ freedom, because having grown up in Pharaoh’s palace, Moses’ sense of right and wrong was somewhat corrupt. Doing so went against the culture and value system which brought him up, and in opposition to the family and friends with which he grew up.
Like Moses, at times, we may all find ourselves with “uncircumcised lips.” For a variety of reasons and circumstances, we may feel trapped, unable to stand up and speak out for what we believe in and know to be right. Like Moses, in those moments, may we all be blessed with the strength and courage we need to speak out. May we be blessed with others around us, like Aaron, who can support us, and guide us as we find our voices.
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Rabbi Dorsch is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via joshua.dorsch@sdjewishworld.com