In the middle of the inauguration of the Priests that forms the second half of this week’s Parshah, we have an unusual note. The shalshelet occurs only four times in the Torah, mostly in Genesis. It normally occurs in the middle of a story, and is generally held to signify hesitation on the part of the protagonist; as in Joseph’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife, for example. What, then, is this note doing in the middle of Moses’ inauguration of his brother and nephews into the priesthood, precisely at the slaughtering of the ‘ram of inauguration’. The Rabbis learnt from this, that indeed there were various hesitations and uncertainties at this moment. Firstly, Moses, who had served in the priestly function until then, was giving up this role to his brother. As someone with a direct connection to G-d, could he have deep down regretted relinquishing the priesthood to someone on a lesser level? Aaron, also, according to tradition, was uncertain of his role. After all, he had been responsible not so long ago for the sin of the Golden Calf, and felt unworthy of taking on the position of G-d’s High Priest. Maybe, indeed, G-d would not accept his service? These types of hesitations are very common in spiritual life. We often, either feel we are deserving of better from G-d or feel unworthy of stepping into the role that G-d has assigned us. We are hesitant about our spiritual path and uncertain of our relationship with G-d. similar fears and doubts were expressed by the people of Malachi’s day, as we find in the Haftorah. ‘It is not worth serving G-d’, they complain, despairing of their relationship with the Divine. The Prophet reassures them that they will indeed see a difference between those who serve G-d and those who do not, and that G-d has not abandoned them. These same doubts are common today. We look at the world and wonder whether anyone is really in charge. The problems we face, both as Jews and members of the global community, seem to be overwhelming and insoluble. Rather than freedom, prosperity and peace, the world seems to be in the grip of tyranny, poverty and conflict, and no one seems to be able to do anything about it. Yet the festival of Pesach teaches us otherwise. Even the most despised group of slaves that had lost all hope, could be redeemed and led to a new existence. We too, should not give up hope, but rather, like Malachi, have confidence in G-d who will in the end redeem us, as he did from Egypt., long ago.