Of Hands and Snakes

“Moshe answered and said, ‘Perhaps they will not believe in me….’” (Shemos 4:1)

Moshe asked Hashem for signs to display to Klal Yisrael so they would believe he was Hashem’s messenger.

The first sign was the stick of Moshe transforming to a snake. The second sign was the hand of Moshe becoming white with tzaraas. Why specifically these two signs? (Rabbi P. G. Waxman).

Mankind has a need to place markers symbolizing ownership or power.

Picture the iconic photo of American marines raising the American flag on the island of Iwo Jima, or the similar photo over 50 years later of firefighters raising the American flag over Ground Zero.

Even the photo of Neil Armstrong’s flag rippling on the moon (conspiracy theory anyone?) portrays similar rights of ownership and power. We did it. Our smarts and our power put a man on the moon.

These thoughts are on my mind as the Israeli flag has cropped up over every surface. Cars, trucks, banners on buildings, and even baby carriages sport the blue and white blowing in the strong Israeli breeze all across the country.