Growing up, I learned that, as Jews, we pass a torch from generation to generation. There is a flame in every one of us from the generations before us, a flame that gives us the energy to survive, a warmth that allows us to learn, and a passion that will enable us to become great people and a great nation. While we come from those who have carried the torch from generation to generation,, we also seemingly come from those who were idol worshipers and nobodies.

In Parshat Vaera, Hashem does something quite strange. After choosing Aaron and Moshe to be His spokesmen, Hashem writes the family tree of Levi so we can understand where Moshe and Aaron came from. Why would Hashem want us to know where they came from? This information should have been recorded when Moshe was born, not now, when Hashem has chosen them for a leadership role!

But now is the best time! By recording their family tree now, Hashem is allowing us to realize that we all descend from a tribe. Hashem is showing us that Levi, Moshe and Aaron were just people, but they stepped up when needed. The tribe of Levi stepped up and became spiritually higher. Moshe and Aaron stepped up and became leaders. Each one of us can step up and become greater! Moshe and Aaron didn’t come from the best people. They came from Levi, who was a hothead. The tribe of Levi wasn’t supposed to have the Kohanim descend from them, but when Moshe needed help for Hashem, they took action. May we all feel the torch of our ancestors before us! May we have the capability to recognize that it is up to us to take action to become great, and may we all take that action and become a great people and nation!