"And God spoke to Moses" (Exodus 6:2). The Hebrew word for "spoke" (vayedaber) implies harshness, while "said" (vayomer) implies gentleness. Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk uses this grammatical distinction to unlock the entire spiritual architecture of Parashat Vaera.
The Talmud teaches: "The wicked begin with harmony and end with suffering; the righteous begin with suffering and end with harmony" (see Genesis Rabbah 66:4). The righteous must first serve God through awe—guarding themselves against the evil inclination, breaking every physical appetite. This is harsh. It is Din (Judgment). It is Elohim. But after conquering the appetites, peace arrives. The enemy—the evil inclination—is subdued. That is Adonai, the name of love.
"And Elohim spoke"—harshly, through judgment. "And said to him, 'I am Adonai'"—softly, through love. The two halves of the verse map the spiritual journey from fear to love.
Rashi explains that God spoke harshly to Moses because Moses had "hurled words toward heaven" (Shemot Rabbah 3:9), protesting: "Why have You done such evil to this people?" But Rebbe Elimelech insists this was not rebellion. Moses challenged God out of overwhelming love for the Jewish people. And love for Israel is love for God. Therefore, even though harsh speech was warranted, God ultimately responded with the soft language of love: "I am Adonai."
King David prayed for exactly this transition: "Confirm Your word through Your servant" (Psalms 119:38)—help me reach the level of love, so that from love I arrive at the higher awe.