Dror Brama: Serah bat Asher succeeds in causing Sheva ben Bikhri to be killed, bringing the war to an end. With perfect faith, she sees the larger picture; in between the clouds of hatred and civil war she manages to perceive the solution that has been hidden from everyone else.Serah represents the Jewish Grandma; the life’s wisdom and the broader perspective of generations that have fallen and arisen, mourned and returned to life. Her voice is the deep, elderly voice of the nation-family and its rich experience. Hazal teach us that at the very beginning of his historical mission, Moshe receives Serah’s stamp of approval. Thus, Serah holds the key to authenticating the true redeemer; she validates his role.
What is important is that she exists; that she is there for us, and always has been - the national grandma.
Serah lives in the wings, waiting; she advises and intervenes only when she needs to. Her veteran perspective, capable of analyzing the problems of the present within the wider context of the generations, helps us to remember the grave of Grandpa, to be able to distinguish between false hopes and true redemption, and to solve the problems that day-to-day events cause within a family.
In these days of tension and anxiety over the decree of exile from parts of our land, with all parties readying themselves for battle, we should ask “Grandma Serah - where are you? Please, we really need you!”
