Was Moses a Poor Communicator?: Parshah Curiosities: Va'eira
Twice in the narrative we find Moses protesting and resisting G-d’s mission to tell Pharaoh to let the Jews go due to his difficulty to speak and sealed mouth. What was the remedy to this speech impediment, and why was he challenged this way in his role to be a powerful communicator?
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| Topics: | Speech; Communication, Moses, Va'eira | |
Rabbi Mendel Kaplan is the Spiritual Leader and Executive Director of Chabad Flamingo in Thornhill, Ontario, serving one of Canada’s most dynamic Jewish communities. He also serves as Chaplain of the York Regional Police Service. He is an active member of Toronto’s Vaad HaRabbanim (Council of Orthodox Rabbis), and a voting member of the COR Kashruth Council of Canada’s executive rabbinical board. Rabbi Kaplan is featured regularly on many local television and radio shows. He is a sought after speaker, with hundreds of lectures on Chabad.org. He and his wife, Faygie, are blessed with eight children. Artistically endowed, the rabbi enjoys drawing, sketching and creating charcoal portraits.
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Rabbi Kendal,
Generally, I enjoy your teachings although I may sometimes not necessarily agree with scholarly interpretations. For the most part, the Chabad instructors give me added or new knowledge from the Torah and sages viewed from a different perspective. On this occasion, I was disappointed with your rendition of Moses "alleged" disability; stuttering. It was excessive verbage. I am sure that you are a sensitive person to those who possess disabilities (communication), but this lesson may be a bit hurtful to many who hear it and may cause a few to turn away from G-d.
It was certainly not my intention to offend anybody. I regret not being more sensitive – sometimes I guess we are carried away in our passion and excitement to make a point. Thank you for taking the time to share your valuable and important feedback