Rabbi Yael Werber's Drashah for Shabbat Ha'azinu, 2025

“I think many of us hear the word peace and think of quiet or tranquility, calmness, perhaps Perhaps even silence. But I think what this song reminds me of, personally, and what Aaron’s staff reminds us of, is that the pursuit of peace is actually something that you have to get down and dirty with. It has to be relentless. It sometimes needs to be loud and exuberant. It has to be knocking and not giving up. It has to start out on its journey much before it arrives. It needs to be present in the hard moments when things are challenging and bitter, as well as the soft and calm moments after the storm. And just as Aaron’s staff reminds us that the of the staff that hit the rock, just as it is the staff that’s connected with Korach and the rebellion, it is also the staff that will usher in the World to Come. Peace is not a magical thing that springs up out of nothing; it springs up out of hard work, out of constant trying and failing. The story of Aaron’s staff is still unfolding, and according to tradition, it will continue to unfold until Mashiach comes, which, since we don’t know when it will be, could be a very long time.“

Rabbi Yael Werber gave this drashah on Friday, October 3 / 12 Tishrei. Watch her full talk above. 

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