While I was getting our sixteen-year-old daughter packed and readied for her summer trip to Israel, we were both riveted to the rescue of 12 Thai boys and their soccer coach who had been stuck in an underwater cave for the past couple of weeks. The two-mile journey to rescue the 12 teenage boys and their coach was fraught with all kinds of danger: murky water, extremely narrow passages, tunnels completely submerged in water, small chambers with limited oxygen, and jagged rocks. Certain points along the route had specific names including Monk’s Junction and Pattaya Beach. For a professional cave, diving Navy Seal the journey from the opening to where the boys and their coach were found took roughly 4-5 hours. Each boy who was tethered to a lead diver and escorted by another diver back to the surface traveled the two kilometers in 6-7 hours. For the divers it was an 11 hour round trip journey. As our daughter began her journey, these 12 boys and coach concluded their own harrowing journey to freedom.
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, B’nai Yisroel is spiritually and physically ready to cross the Jordan River and enter into Eretz Canaan. B’nai Yisroel is about to realize the Brit, the covenant that God made with the Avot: Avraham, Yitzchak, 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 overcome 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 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.
As I pulled up to the airport, helped my daughter check her bag and said our goodbyes for her five-week trip to Israel; she had a bit of nervous look in her eye. She has been to sleep away camp before. She has been to Israel without her mother and me. I asked her if she was OK. She smiled through a tear welling up in her eye as she explained to me that those boys had a journey, an experience that they will never forget, each open oxygen depleted chamber, each extremely narrow passageway; an experience and a journey that will have a deep effect upon them. She smiled and said that for the next five weeks she will be on a journey. She laughed nervously reminding us both that it should never be as harrowing and as dangerous as those boys. Then she smiled at me and said that she knows that she will be affected by her journey. I smiled back at her, agreed with her, and then whispered to her to stay safe, use good judgment and learn. She kissed me on the cheek, thanked me and said that she would do all those things. As she walked through security, I have no doubt, that like all of us who take a moment or two during our own journey, that she will grow and mature on this particular journey.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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