We all know the saying: "The apple never falls far from the tree." But if we stop for a moment to reflect, what does it really mean? If the apple falls close to the tree, it means that the tree has chosen well where to plant its roots, a place where it wants its fruits to grow and thrive.

In the parashah of Vaera, we encounter two extraordinary figures, Moses and Aaron, the saviors of the Jewish people, chosen by Hashem to lead the Jews out of Egypt. But let’s think for a moment: what did it mean for two men to face Pharaoh, the most powerful king on earth, the one who considered himself a deity? With what strength and determination could they repeatedly stand before him, defying his power and proclaiming: "Let our people go"?

The answer lies in the tree from which these two apples fell: Yocheved, their mother, the midwife of the Jewish people. When Pharaoh decreed that every Jewish male newborn should be killed, he turned to her, ordering her to carry out his will. But Yocheved did not hesitate for a moment: she firmly opposed him, saving lives, risking her own.

Here is the secret. Courage does not arise from nothing; it is an inheritance, a gift that is passed down through generations. Moses and Aaron had breathed in their mother’s strength from childhood, her example of determination and unwavering faith. If Yocheved had been able to defy Pharaoh without fear, her sons could be no less. Their courage was already within them, inherited from a mother who had never been afraid to do what was right.

And us?

What legacy are we leaving to our children? Every action we take has an impact beyond ourselves, influencing those around us, those who will come after us, generation after generation. Before making a choice, we should always ask ourselves: Am I leaving a legacy of faith, strength, and values?

Fear often paralyzes us, but it is an illusion. We fear things that have not yet happened, events that may never occur. Meanwhile, we waste energy, letting ourselves be paralyzed by hypotheses and fears. But the lesson of Yocheved and her sons teaches us that faith and courage can change the world.

Let’s live in the moment, choose good, because every choice we make can transform reality and change the course of history.