Your Typical City Involved In A Typical Daydream; Hang It Up And See What Tomorrow Brings (Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir) "Truckin"

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

Takes Time, You Pick A Place To Go Just keep Truckin' On (Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia et. al. - "Truckin'")

Last week, Ottawa experienced a terrorist attack aimed at Canada’s democratic institutions.  I didn’t know about it until our daughter, who is working in Seattle, texted me the news.  I turned on a U.S. news outlet that was covering the story.  Different news shows, with different talking heads, were interviewing eyewitnesses, FBI anti-terrorist authorities, as well as Federal and Provincial law enforcement. When I came home from work, our children asked if I had heard what occurred in Ottawa that day. “I did”, I replied. Then our son looked up at me and said, “Well I guess that means that there is nowhere safe from terrorist attacks.” I asked him what he meant. “Well, Israel has terrorist attacks, the United States has terrorist attacks like 9/11.” When I said that there must be some country that has not had a terrorist attack, he quickly answered, “Maybe but I would never want to live there. I have lived in America, mommy talks about living in Israel, and we live in Canada and I never heard about a terrorist attack in Canada until this week.”  I thought about what Prime Minister Harper said about democracy  and combating fear, I thought about what Mayor Rudy Giuliani said soon after the 9/11 attacks about New York being open for business and living in an open democratic society.  Just like my son quickly came to the realization that there is no such thing as an open democratic society invulnerable to a terrorist attack, now another country, Canada has to quickly come to the same realization and begin a different kind of national journey. Thankfully, Prime Minister Harper has already begun the journey as he has been an outspoken supporter of fighting terrorism, whether it be ISIS or Hamas. He has not only used words but has used deed as well by providing military and intelligence support to the United States in the war on terrorism.  With this recent attack upon a solider in Quebec and then the attack in Ottawa, the world seems to look a little different than it did a few weeks before. When my children look at the world from their “Canadian lens”, they see a similar world as when they look through their “American lens”. There are bad people, and bad ideas out there that want to hurt people innocent people living decent lives in nice places. For my children to arrive at that realization is a process and journey that will require faith.

                This week's Parsha is Lech Lecha. In it, God commands Abram to leave his father, his homeland and everything he has ever known and go to a place where God will show him later. Abram does. He heads down towards Egypt because of a famine. Eventually, Abram leaves Egypt with money, flocks, servants, and wealth. Lot, Abram's nephew, and Abram decide to part ways since each their respective flocks not only become intermingled but their hired hands fight among each other. Abram then fights against several kings in an attempt to protect Lot. Then his wife Sarai, who is barren, tells Abram to make Hagar (the maidservant) the surrogate mother. Abram listens and Hagar has a son named Ishmael. She runs away and then returns. God tells Abram a prophecy. Abram will become the father of a great nation, and that nation will become enslaved for several centuries and then will return to the land that God promised Abram. Then God instructs Abram to circumcise himself, his son Ishmael and all the males of his household.

All these seemingly unrelated events are linked together by the explanation offered by the Talmudic Sages. Beginning with Abraham receiving the command Lech Lecha, to go, from his father’s home, his place of birth and his country to a new land, God was testing Abraham’s worthiness to receive God’s Brit, God’s covenant. (Mishnah Avot 5:4) Rambam, the great 12^th century Spanish physician, philosopher, commentator and Halachist, explains that these tests were not for God’s benefit. After all, God know what the result of the test will be. Rather, Rambam explains that the test is for the benefit of the person being tested. The Parsha begins with a seemingly superfluous word, Lecha for you. Ordinarily a command should be Lech – Go. However God says “Lech Lecha” – Go for you/Go for yourself.  Meaning Avraham’s going and the ensuing tests that Avraham will face is for Avraham’s sake. The test are designed to prove to Avraham that he is worthy of this unique relationship with God. It’s one thing when a parent, a teacher, or a mentor believes in us. However if we don’t believe in ourselves, then it doesn’t matter how much confidence other may have, we still may feel unworthy or unable to succeed.

            The same holds true for communities and countries. Like the United States democratic ideals, values and institution were tested on 9/11, Canada now faces a similar test. Will Canada cower to the terrorists? Like other democracies that experienced terrorist attacks, Canadians inherently understand that the Democracy will only cower to terrorist if it gives into fear.  Should there be more security? Certainly. Should Canada become a closed society where individual rights are trampled in the name of security? It seems that Canadian politicians and the Canadian electorate, need to embark upon a journey for the good of the country, a journey that the United States began on 9/11, and determine the delicate balance between security and reduced risk while maintaining the sanctity of individual rights and freedoms. Like I explained to my son, Canada, is still a safe place to live, and a good place to live.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Truckin' I'm A Going Home (Robert Hunter, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh - "Truckin'")

I had a chance to participate in that mid-summer sleep away camp ritual called “Visitor’s Day”. It was not as simple as jumping in the car on a Sunday morning, drive a couple of hours, see the kids and come home. I wish it was that easy. For me nothing could have been further from reality. So late Saturday night at I started driving in pouring rain. I had planned to stop at my parents’ home in Rochester.  I arrived around 1:30 am, and saw father awake, and awaiting my arrival. The good news was that I made great time. The bad news was I felt guilty because I had somehow prevented him from going to bed and an earlier hour. Still, I would be able to get 5-6 hours of sleep and, on Sunday morning I would be ready to drive another three and half hours and be at camp to enjoy a picnic lunch. I was up bright and early the next morning, I saw my mother for a few minutes, said goodbye. I saw that my wife texted me a list of things to pick up for our picnic so I stopped at Wegmans. Well one just doesn’t run into Wegmans and run out. Wegmans is the Supermarket of Supermarkets. One normally walks into Wegmans and is in awe of the numerous products, the colors and the smells. After an hour, I eventually picked up everything on the list and started driving. The highway was familiar, the exits were familiar, the route was the familiar, and the trees were familiar. The landscape was magnificent and familiar. The farms were picturesque and familiar. I must have made this drive hundreds and hundreds of times. With the horizon stretched out before me, I had a sense of constancy and comfort. Nothing had changed. I saw my wife, and my children. I had a few minutes alone with each child and my wife. I even had a moment when I saw my wife and my kids together, helping carry our picnic to the spot and had a “moment”. The “Moment” was a sense that it was worth the drive just to see them helping each other shlep all this stuff. It was a sense that it was worth the drive for me to realize that I am blessed. So we at lunch. I hung around for another couple of hours and began the long drive back to Toronto. I stopped in Rochester for Dinner. Waited for thirty minutes at the border because of traffic and then waited a little over an hour on the QEW Highway because of construction. The final 40 minutes of the drive was a blur of fog and exits and one thought sat in my head. I can’t believe I drove 9 hours on a Sunday in order to spend 2 ½ hours with my family, either I am crazy or really appreciate the fact that I am blessed.    

This Shabbat, we read from Parsha Ma’asei. It is the final Parsha of Sefer BaMidbar. Ma’asei begins with Moshe’s recording of all the places that B’nai Yisroel had traveled during the course of its 40 years of wandering. Moshe makes the final preparations for B’nai Yisroel’s entrance into Eretz Canaan: including the establishment of national and tribal boundaries. Also, Moshe gives his decision to the Daughters of Zelophchad (Parshat Pinchas) who have inherited their father’s tribal holdings. Moshe informs B’nai Yisroel of inter-tribal marriage while simultaneously retaining the integrity of tribal boundaries. Also six cities of refuge are established for those individuals who have committed manslaughter, (and accidental death) and are fleeing the avenging family member.

Whenever an individual, a group, a community or a people stand on the precipice of realizing a stated goal; looking back upon the journey only makes 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. Eilah Masei V’nai Yisroel Asher Yatzu M’Eretz Mitzrayim 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 B’nai Yisroel stands on the brink of entering Eretz Canaan, all the experiences, both positive and negative gave B’nai 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.

We all have journeys. Some are a lifetime. Some are a few hours. No matter the distance, and no matter the final objective, every once in a while it is important to stop and take stock of how far one has traveled. Every once in a while it is important to check out the surrounding of the journey and not only an eye on the final objective. Sometimes there is value in the journey for the journey’s sake and not just the objective. Mathematically speaking, it was kind of crazy to drive 9 hours in order to spend 2 ½ hours with my family. Except for a few delays that were beyond my control, it was also cleared my head, allowed me to take a look around and see how far I have come in my life and contemplate my future.

Peace

                Rav Yitz

Truckin' I'm A Going Home Whoa, Whoa, Baby, Back Where I Belong (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Truckin")

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