Well
sleep away camp finally started. While it has been a busy and somewhat
difficult time for our three children; our soon to be teen-ager seemed
to have the most difficult time. After weeks of list making, shopping,
schlepping, shopping some more, labeling, listening to the whining, and the
crying about going to a place where she doesn’t know anyone and watching the fits
and starts of numerous attempts to pack,
finally the moment is at hand. The kids are at camp; they are in their bunks
and they are meeting their bunk mates. There have been numerous pep talks.
There have been reminders of previous experiences that should provide a source
strength and confidence. However I have learned that my reminding her of those
experiences is not nearly as effective as her recalling those
experiences and her learning to derive strength and confidence herself.
This
morning we read from Parsha Matot/Masei. These are the final two parshiot of
Sefer BaMidbar (Book of Numbers). Like
the end of most books, these parshiot tie up numerous loose ends. It ties up
the loose ends of the narrative such as how to deal with the Midianites
following episode with Pinchas, the daughters of Tzelophchad and issues of
inheritance, as well as the borders of Eretz Canaan, and the Cities of Refuge.
All these final issues must be dealt with since, from a narrative perspective,
Bnai Yisroel is spiritually and physically ready to cross the Yarden River and
enter into Eretz Canaan. Bnai Yisroel is about to realize the Brit, the
covenant that God made with the Avot: Avraham, Yiztchak and Yaakov.
Whenever
an individual, a group, a community or a people stand on the precipice of a
realized goal; looking back upon the journey only makes sense. Whenever an individual, a group, a community
or a people experience anxiety about the ability to handle future unknowns;
looking back at past lessons also seems to make a lot of sense. We look back
upon the journey for a variety of reasons. First we look back upon the journey
in sheer wonderment; we cannot believe we have traveled so far and finally
achieved. Second, we look back upon the journey in order to provide context and
meaning for all those who joined in the journey towards the middle or the end.
Third, we look back upon the journey as a series of opportunities that were
necessary in order to realize the stated goal. Fourth, we look back knowing
that if we overcame past obstacles and fears, then we should be able to
overcome future anxieties, obstacles and fears.
Eilah Masei V’nai Yisroel Asher
Yatzu M’Eretz Mitztrayim L'tzivotam
B’Yad Moshe v’Aharon – These
are the journeys of the Children of Israel, who went forth from the Land of Egypt
according to the legions under the hand of Moshe and Aharon … V’Eilah Maseihem L’Motzaheihem – And these are the their journeys according
to their departures. (Num. 33:1-2) God commanded Moshe to keep a record of
their travels according to their Maseihem
- destination. This is means of
recording based upon positive expectations, when there were no travails, issues
or problems. Moshe also kept a record of their travels based upon Motzaheihem their departures, when there were travails, issues and great difficulties,
when people murmured against God, against Moshe etc. Now that Bnai Yisroel
stands on the brink of entering Eretz Canaan, all the experiences, both
positive and negative gave Bnai Yisroel an opportunity to learn Faith. The journey and all that was experienced
during that 40-year journey was necessary in order to arrive at this point in
time.
Hopefully,
as our daughter experiences her first few nights at sleep away camp,
experiences the gnawing fear of wondering if she will make new friends, hopefully
she will be able to recall her own journey into new and unknown experiences.
Hopefully she will remember that she made friends quickly and easily when she
moved to California, when she arrived here in Toronto, or when she played for
her school basketball team. Hopefully she will realize that the anxiety is
really in her own mind rather than in the reality of her experiences or the
reality of each new day at camp.
Peace
Rav
Yitz
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