Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

For many of us, a frustration during Covid has been the inability to physically see family members: grandparents, parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, other extended relatives, and friends. For some, those loved ones live nearby. For others, those loved ones live elsewhere in the world. In my case, I last saw my son in Michigan almost a year ago. I last saw my three siblings in NY- NJ-MA almost a year and a half ago.

In this week's Parsha - Yitro, Tziporah, and her two sons reunite with son in law, husband, and father, Moses, after a very long time. The family was not with him when he pleaded with Pharaoh, when the ten plagues ensued, or when the sea was parted. Only after the battle over Amalek did the family come together.

What do you think Moses' family said to him after such a long time apart? Did they resent Moses for abandoning his family? Did they understand and accept his divinely appointed mission? Did the children even recognize their father? 

One can certainly sympathize and empathize with the plight of families during Covid. Can one do the same for Moses and his family? Can we apply lessons from them to our situation today?

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison