What Fatal Flowers Of Darkness Bloom From Seeds Of Light (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia- Blues For Allah)

           Several weeks ago, I was blessed to celebrate my niece's Bat Mitzvah. Maybe as I have grown older, I have become more aware of it, but I cannot help but notice that Simchas and Tsuris, joyous occasions and sorrowful or difficult occasions occur incredibly close together. Over the last few years, in the age of Covid, we have heard how weddings became “super spreaders”. My niece’s Simcha, her Bat Mitzvah, was no exception. The joy of Shabbat when she read Torah and chanted Haftarah in a women’s service, her poise when she gave her Bat Mitzvah speech in the main sanctuary, the joy of watching my children dance and celebrate at their cousin’s party was greeted the next day with the news that people were testing positive for Covid. As we were preparing to drive my parents to their home in upstate New York and then make our way to Toronto, we noticed that my father did not appear well. Coughing and lethargic, we had him wear a mask, left the car windows open, and the air conditioning on. Five and half hours later, we brought my parents into their home and tested them for Covid. My father tested positive and he began his isolation. By the end of the day, there were a dozen people and three babies who had Covid. A day later our twenty-year-old daughter tested positive for Covid. She and her brother were supposed to go to summer camp the next day. That had to be delayed. 48 hours upon returning my parents to their home, my mother tested positive for covid. However, her case was more severe than my father’s case. Within 36 hours of testing positive, my mother was brought to the hospital due to complications resulting from Covid. She remained there for six days. On Day 5 of her stay in the hospital, our daughter finally tested negative and the next morning I drove her and her brother to camp.  Then two days later, my mother came out of the hospital, weakened but on the road to recovery. Within a week, our family went from experiencing the beautiful lifecycle of a young person reaching the age of young adulthood to the stark reality of aging and mortal parents whose vulnerabilities Covid found. Of course, we are not the only ones, Covid has forced us to see with new clarity the blessings and difficulties in life.  

          This Shabbat we read from Parsha Chukat. Chukat begins by telling us the Law for the Red Heifer. A Chok is a statute for which there is no logical reason. Unlike Mitzvot which is a commandment, and for which reasons and rationale may abound in order for the Mitzvah to make sense, a Chok is simply taken on faith. Unlike a Mishpat, which is a judgment that comes from a specific case/decision, a Chok is seemly plucked out of the air and there is no thought given to decisions. The Chok concerning the Red Heifer is that the individual Priest who prepares the mixture that will render the entire nation spiritually pure, will himself become impure from the mixture. However, the Parsha continues the theme of Chukat following the statute of the Red Heifer. A brief narrative concerning the death of Miriam, the lack of water, and B’nai Yisroel’s resulting anxiety and lack of faith leads to the issuance of another Chuk.

          When the people express their fear and anxiety about a lack of water immediately after Miriam’s death,  Moshe and Aaron don’t know what to do. God tells them: Kach et HaMateh v’Hakhaeil Et Ha’Edah Ata v’Aharon Achicha v’Dibartem El HaSela L’Eineihem V’Natan Meimav V’Hotzeitah Lahem Mayim Min HaSela V’Hishkita et HaEidah v’Et B’Iram – Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Take the staff and gather together the assembly, you and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes that it shall give its waters. You shall bring forth for them water from the rock and give drink to the assembly and to their animals (Num. 20:8). This statute was directed at Moshe and Aaron.  Like the statute regarding the Parah Aduma, the Red Heifer, this statute directed at Moshe and Aaron also appears to have  no apparent logic or reason behind it. Why does Moshe need to take the rod if he has to speak to the rock to get the water? And when Moshe fails to heed the statute, he is punished without any mercy. He is forbidden to lead B’nai Yisroel into Eretz Canaan. The last time God issued such a directive to Moshe (back in the book of Exodus 17:6), Moshe was instructed to strike the rock. Now, without warning, God has changed the way Moshe was to draw water from the rock. Now without warning of the punishment if Moshe fails to heed the directive, Moshe is unable to fulfill his mission and bring B’nai Yisroel into Eretz Canaan. The Parsha concludes with B’nai Yisroel defeating the Amorites and temporarily dwelling on the planes of Moav, on the Eastern side of the Jordan River. The Torah text offers a very simple explanation of Moshe’s sin and ensuing punishment. After striking the rock twice, water came out from the rock, and the assembly drank, God explains the reason for the harsh punishment. Ya’an Lo He’ehmantem Bi L’Hakdisheine L’Einei Bnai Yisroel Lachein Lo Taviu et HaKahal Hazeh el Ha’Aretz Asher Natati Lahem: Because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me in the eyes of the Children of Israel, therefore you will not bring this congregation to the Land that I have given them (Num. 20:12). The most humble man who had the closest relationship to God, receives perhaps the most hurtful of punishments for a moment of weakness. However, it seems that Moshe’s ultimate shortcoming was that he wasted an opportunity to teach this new generation, this generation that was not familiar with slavery, familiar with life in Egypt, nor directly experience the miracle of the Exodus. Moshe, the greatest teacher, prophet, and transmitter of law and theology missed a glaring opportunity to teach B’nai Yisroel. 

          When Moshe hit the rock, he not only missed an opportunity to teach a fundamental lesson to this new generation that was coming of age in the Wilderness. By losing his temper, as justified as he may have been, by hitting the rock, he also diminished himself. No longer was he a statesman concerned about the welfare of the community during a moment of crisis. For a brief moment, he became caught up in his own emotion. When such a person with vast amounts of power and responsibility misses a sacred opportunity to teach, explain and create an opportunity for the common folk to draw closer to God, then we can understand the harshness of the punishment. Experiencing the joy of the entire weekend only to be struck with the cold reality of my parents' mortality, made us understand the importance of acknowledging, and cherishing blessings but never getting so caught up that we forget the fragility of our blessings and the lives of our loved ones.  

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Your Doorways Crawl With Fear (Bobby Peterson & Phil Lesh- "Pride of Cucamonga")

           Only our 16-year-old son awaits his second vaccine. The rest of us are fully vaccinated. This week has been remarkably similar to the previous Covid 19 years at this time. Our kids have been getting themselves packed for summer camp jobs in Pennsylvania. My wife has been finishing up with her school responsibilities and preparing for her summer camp job as well. Indeed, they are excited. Yet at the same time, we are constantly dealing with the very genuine fear and anxiety of “re-opening”. Their camp won’t be allowing visitors to camp as they want to create a bubble. Even though life seems to have opened “south of the border”, it is clear both socially and politically,  there remain concerns around the U.S. Canada border. Similar concerns have affected travel between provinces. A recent Poll from the end of May reflects that nearly 52% of Canadians have anxiety about re-opening, and that anxiety is higher in younger people ages 16-30. ( Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press CP24 New May 26th). The re-opening anxiety is not confined to Canada. It is a real thing. Roughly half of the United States shares the same anxiety. Part of the anxiety is based upon the notion that going outside will be different than before, however, we do not know exactly how different. Despite our best attempts to remain connected through phones and computers, relationships returning to “live” situations are just different from “virtual” relationships”.  Also, like any muscle that hasn’t been used, that begins to atrophy, the first few times it begins to get used, will cause soreness and even pain. It seems that the same holds true for re-opening. 

          This week we read from Parsha Chukkat. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Chukkat. Chukkat begins by telling us the Law for the Red Heifer. The Priest who prepares the mixture of water and the Red Heifers burnt ashes will render the entire nation spiritually pure; but the mixture will render him impure. A brief narrative concerning the death of Miriam, the lack of water, and B’nai Yisroel’s resulting anxiety and lack of faith leads to the issuance of another test of faith in the Wilderness. Moshe and Aaron don’t know what to do; so God tells them to speak to the rock and water will spring forth. Instead of following instructions, Moshe succumbed to his anger and hit the rock with his staff. Indeed water came out, the people drank, but Moshe and Aharon were punished. Aharon died and Moshe learned that he would not be able to enter into Eretz Canaan. As B’nai Yisroel resumes its wandering, they are attacked by Amalek. As a result, B’nai Yisroel must detour around the heart of Amalek territory. The people complain to Moshe again. They try to seek permission from the Sihon, the King of the Amorites, to pass through Amorite territory. Sihon denies permission and B’nai Yisroel attacks and eventually defeats the Amorites. Og King of Bashan tries to prevent B’nai Yisroel from marching through his land, B’nai Yisroel, with the help of Hashem, defeats King Og and his army.  The Parsha concludes with B’nai Yisroel settling on the Plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan poised to enter Canaan.

            Towards the end of the Parsha, Moshe and B’nai Yisroel, now consisting mostly of a population that never experienced slavery firsthand, fought and battled against several of the indigenous tribes.  By this point, Moshe’s sister had passed away as well as his brother Aharon. Really, the only people that the Torah records as adult slaves in Egypt, who left Egypt, who crossed the Reed Sea, who stood at Sinai, who had been attacked by the Amalekites, who, like Moshe dealt with the negative report from 10 of the 12 spies were the two spies who offered a positive report: Joshua and Caleb.  Moshe is indeed the elder. After defeating the Sihon king of the Amorites, Moshe and B’nai Yisroel turn north. Vayifnu V’Yaalu Derech HaBashan And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan Vayeitze Og Melech HaBashan Likratam Hu V’ Chol Amo Lamilchama Edrei And Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people to the battle at Edrei. Vayomer HaShem El Moshe, Al Tirah Oto  And God said to Moses “Fear him not”. (Num. 21:33-34). Clearly, if God is telling Moshe to refrain from feeling scared, then obviously God is aware that Moshe is fearful.  Until this moment, at no point since embarking on this job as leader of the Jewish people and engaging in this incredibly close relationship to God, has Moshe displayed fear or been described as fearful.  So, Why now? Why after all that Moshe has been through with God and these people does God tell Moshe Al Tirah Oto? “Rashi, citing the Talmudic Tractate Niddah 61a, explains that Og was one of the last “giants' ' from the era of Noah and the Flood. It was Og, who had helped Abraham the Patriarch during his War with the 5 Kings. However, Rashi’s explanation and the Talmud’s explanation do not suggest that Moshe was afraid of the physical, “flesh and blood” of Og. God told Moshe Al Tirah Oto - Do not fear Oto. Oto means “him” and “it”. Is God telling Moshe not to fear “him”, (Og) or not to fear “it”,?  What would the “it” be referring to? Perhaps the “it” that Moshe should not fear is what Og symbolizes, the elimination of one of the last obstacles of Moshe and B’nei Yisroel fulfilling the covenant and entering into the land.  Moshe has just buried his sister and his brother. He must feel incredibly mortal and that something new is set to begin. Moshe is scared of “it”, fearful of the remainder of the process, the process of entry in Canaan. Moshe understands that “it” will not include him for much longer, and that could be a cause for fear and anxiety. 

         Apparently, Moshe’s fear was palpable. Given his age, the fact that he just buried his sister and brother, he knew that his time was drawing to an end. With each obstacle to the entry into Eretz Canaan eliminated, Moshe was one step closer to realizing his mission, transitioning out of leadership position, and ultimately never fully realize his He must have needed to address Moshe’s fear. To some extent, we have made adjustments in order to negotiate life amid a pandemic. We have refrained from hugging and shaking hands. We hesitate just a moment or two when we have to contend with large groups. We hesitate about things that we never used to be hesitant about. The anxiety of returning to “normal” is very real.  However, life amid the pandemic has meant that my wife and I have not had to worry about our son going out with his friends, and driving to high school parties. Life amid the pandemic has meant that we haven’t had to worry about him coming home late. Life amid the pandemic has meant that I haven’t had to stay awake in case of a late-night phone call or text telling me to pick him up. Life amid the pandemic has meant that we have not had to contend with a whole host of concerns and anxieties associated with the social life of teenage boys.  However, we all know that as soon as he receives the second dose of his vaccine, all that will change.  I guess being a parent means living with a certain amount of fear and anxiety, whether fully vaccinated or not.

Peace,
Rav Yitz 

You've All Been Asleep, You Would Not Believe Me (John Barlow & Bob Weir- "Estimated Prophet")

           Perhaps it’s nature or maybe it is nurture, but I grew up with an incredibly low threshold for listening to people whine. I recall as a boy hearing my younger sister whine, it drove me crazy. My wife knows I have a low threshold for listening to and tolerating whining. My children always understood that whining about or for something was never a good strategy to illicit my empathy and understanding. As I have grown older, I have very little patience for adults who whine. Rabbi Levi, in the Midrash Tanchuma also talks about a spoiled brat: “A child is riding on his father’s shoulders. When the child sees something he wants, he asks for it. His father gets it for him. This happens again and again. They encounter a person approaching from the opposite direction, and the child asks the stranger, ‘Have you seen my father?’ The father responds incredulously, “You ride on my shoulders, and everything you want I get you, yet you ask, ‘Have you seen my father?’ The father then takes the child down from his shoulders and a dog comes and bites the child.”

          This week’s Parshah, Beshalach, is also known as Shabbat Shira (Shabbat of Song). Bnai Yisroel leaves Egypt. Pharaoh, realizing what he has done, gives chase with the Egyptian army in hot pursuit. Trapped by the Sea, Bnai Yisroel looks to Moshe for an answer. Moshe prays and God tells Moshe to take Israel and start walking through the Yam Suf.  So as they begin walking into the Yam Suf; it splits and Bnai Yisroel arrives safely on the other side. Meanwhile, the Egyptian army is trapped in the water as the sea closes upon them.  B’nai Yisroel sings throughout this Parshah. Upon successfully completing their crossing of the Yam Suf, the headline song begins (Ex. 15:1): Oz Yashir Moshe u’Vnai Yisroel et Ha Shira Ha’zot L’adonai va’Yomru Leimor Then Moses and the Children of Israel chose to sing this song to God and they said the following. In this song, B’nai Yisroel praises God as protector of his people. After the song, Miriam, Moshe’s sister, tells the women Shiru L’adonai Ki Ga’oh Ga’Ah Sus v’Rochvo Ramah Va’Yam Sing to God for he is exalted above the arrogant, having hurled horse with its rider into the sea. (Ex.15:21) When tradition referred to this Shabbat as Shabbat Shirah, clearly this is what was meant.

          However immediately following these songs of praise, B’nai Yisroel begins another kind of singing. Instead of songs of joy and praise, known as singing, there are songs of discontent and complaint, which always sounded to me as whining. No sooner does B’nai Yisroel cross the Yam Suf and sing Oz Yashir Moshe, then they complain about the lack of good water. Moshe puts a tree into the water and it becomes sweet (15:25-26). They whine about the lack of food. God provides the manna from Heaven (16:6-8,16-36). They complain about the lack of meat. God provides them with quail (16:13). They complained about the lack of water upon their arrival in Rephidim. Moshe strikes a rock as God instructs, and provides water for the people. They wanted it now. So God gave it “now”. The complaining and the lack of patience seem to indicate B’nai Yisroel’s lack of patience. Although liberated from slavery, B’nai Yisroel still has the mentality of slaves. After generations of slavery, B’nai Yisroel has grown used to living passively. As slaves, they ceased struggling for freedom. They performed their tasks and returned to their slaves’ quarters and ate their slave food that the master provided. There is no sense of responsibility for the future. There is no sense that improvement is possible. The slave looked to the master to take care of everything. Upon leaving Egypt and crossing the Yam Suf, B’nai Yisroel looks to God to take care of everything. They have no sense of taking take care of themselves. So they sang or whined, “But Daddy we want the water and meat and we want it now!” God gave them another miracle.

          Like the impudent boy who asked the stranger if he had seen his father, while all the while sitting upon his father’s shoulders; B’nai Yisroel demonstrates the same impudence. Hayeish Adonai B’kirbeinu Im Ayin? “Is God among us or not?” The father put the boy on the ground. God put B’nai Yisroel upon the ground. Just like the dog bit the boy, Amalek attacks. B’nai Yisroel.  B’nai Yisroel stopped whining. They finally do for themselves.  “Moshe said to Joshua, ‘Choose people for us and go do battle with Amalek; tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand’. Joshua did as Moshe said to him, to do battle with Amalek” (Ex.17:9-10). B’nai Yisroel fought, God gave them strength. This is the first time in the Parshah where we read that B’nai Yisroel acted first. God helped them when they helped themselves.

         Emunah (Faith) in God depends upon faith in ourselves. Before we seek God’s help, we must help ourselves. The spoiled brat is the child who won’t do for his/herself. The spoiled brat expects others to do for him. Instead of trusting in and doing for itself first, B’nai Yisroel relied upon God to do for them. Thank God, we are no longer slaves in Egypt, yet we remain slaves. We are enslaved by our fears, enslaved by our anxieties, and enslaved by our own passivity. At first, it may always seem easier to be passive, do nothing, be uninvolved, and not improve the world around us. The first step in freedom is conquering our own passivity, and doing for ourselves. Only when we take that first step will we feel the support and strength that God offers us. Then we can conquer Amalek. Then we conquer our own fears. Then improvement is possible for both the individual and the community.  Most importantly, we eventually stop whining.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

Some Come To Laugh Their Past Away Some Come To Make It Just One More Day (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Franklin's Tower")

          This week, a 98-year-old man passed away. However, he did not pass away due to the Corona Virus. He went to sleep and didn’t wake up the next morning. I remember this man from my childhood. I remember him on television. I remember listening to comedy records with my dad, as this man and his co-writer and partner performed incredibly funny and poignant comedic sketches. Years later, I listened to those same comedic sketches with my daughters and son and again laughed hysterically. There were even moments when three generations: my father, my children, and listened and laughed together. Carl Reiner passed away earlier this week. He and his long time partner Mel Brooks created numerous skits including The 2000 Year Old Man and the 2013 Year Old Man. Before that, Carl Reiner brought laughter to millions when he co-wrote the Show of Shows and the Dick Van Dyke Show.  Later, my children recognized him from the Ocean’s Eleven Movies.  Regarding laughter, Reiner said, “Everybody wants to laugh, you know that. They need to laugh. People need to laugh.” Carl Reiner understood that laughter is indeed fundamental to a quality of life.
          This week we read from Parsha Chukkat. This week we read from Parsha Chukkat. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Chukkat. Chukkat begins by telling us the Law for the Red Heifer. The Priest who prepares the mixture of water and the Red Heifer's burnt ashes will render the entire nation spiritually pure; but the mixture will render him impure. Miriam passes away and there is a shortage of water.  To alleviate the water shortage, Moshe and Aharon are commanded to speak to the rock causing water to flow. However, Moshe struck the rock. While water still flowed, Moshe and Aharon would be punished for their transgression and would not be worthy enough to enter into Eretz Canaan. The Parsha records the death of Aharon, and his son’s assuming their late father’s position within the nation.  As B’nai Yisroel resumes its wandering, they are attacked by Amalek. B’nai Yisroel is forced to go around the heart of Amalek territory. The people complain to Moshe again. They try to seek permission from the Sihon, the King of the Amorites, to pass through Amorite territory. Sihon denies his permission and B’nai Yisroel attacks and eventually defeats the Amorites. Og King of Bashan tries to prevent B’nai Yisroel from marching through his land, B’nai Yisroel, with the help of Hashem, defeat King Og and his army.  The Parsha concludes with B’nai Yisroel settling on the Plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan poised to enter into Canaan.
          Following the Law of the Red Heifer, The Parsha contains several distinct narratives. One focuses upon a lack of water, two focus upon the death of Moshe’s siblings. Several narratives focus upon B’nai Yisroel’s complaints about the lack of food ad water.  Between the Statute of the Red Heifer and these seemingly disparate narratives, a very subtle transition of nearly thirty-eight years occurred. VaYavo’u  B’nai Yisroel Kol HaEidah Midbar Tzin BaChodesh HaRishon VaYeishev Ha’Am B’Kadesh - And the Children of Israel, the entire assembly, arrived a the Wilderness of Zin in the first months and the people settled in Kadesh. (Num. 20:1) Rashi, the great, 11th-century French commentator comments on the phrase Kol HaEidah- Eida HaShlamah Shekvar Meitu Midbar V’Eilu Parshu LaChayim- The whole assembly, for those who were to die in the wilderness had already died, and these (who composed the current assembly) were set apart for life. Citing the Midrash Tanchuma, Rashi noticed that the phrase B’nai Yisroel Kol Ha’Eidah seems syntactically incorrect. On more than twenty occasions, including last week’s Parsha Korach, the more common phrase is Kol Adat B’nei Yisroel The entire assembly of the Children of Israel. Now this group is described as The Children of Israel, the entire assembly. While they are still the descendants of Israel (of Yaakov) this Eidah, this assembly must be composed of something different than those that were first described as  Eidah. This Eidah, this assembly is composed of those born in the wilderness. The old assembly must have died out and the 40-year punishment and wandering must be coming to its conclusion.  As we read about this new Eidah, this new assembly of B’nai Yisroel, thirty-eight years later, we read about an Eidah and assembly that seem remarkably similar to their parents and grandparents.  The first assembly (those who left Egypt) taught this new assembly to worry about the apparent lack of water. The first assembly taught this new assembly to worry about the lack of food. The first assembly worried about and dealt with Amalek. This new assembly also deals with Amalek.
          Every “new assembly” should have the opportunity to learn from the “older assembly”. Sadly, and unfortunately for this new assembly, they were “came of age’ with the death of Miriam and Aaron, the sources of their water and the sources of the sanctity of the Kehuna died with them. Upon the death of Miriam and Aaron, this “new assembly” never had to worry about water nor the Rodef Shalom of Aaron. The “older assembly” always has the distinct opportunity to mentor the younger, and teach them the “how” to do. For all of Carl Reiners’ gift of as a comedian, writer, and director, perhaps his greatest gift was as a mentor to the numerous comedians and writers that, like Carl Reiner, understood the importance and the sanctity of laughter. Perhaps the most important gift of Carl Reiner was his ability to make multiple generations share laughter together as I once did with my grandfather and father and now as I am blessed to do with my children and my parents.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Where The Angels Fear To Tread, Till You Are Torn Apart (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Foolish Heart")

Our house is very quiet. My wife and three teenage children are at summer camp. Our eldest daughter continues to reside in Boston, working on a Presidential campaign. As my wife and kids were packing and shopping, packing some more, then finally loading the car and leaving; I became more and more anxious and remained so until they arrived safely at camp. The days of packing and shopping were followed by dinner, packing and cleaning up their respective bedrooms. The nights were filled with my daughters requesting use of the car in order to go out with friends.  The requests for the car began around 930/10pm and continue until 11 pm. The request wasn’t so extraordinary; they wanted to borrow the car in order to “go see friends”. The funny thing about this car borrowing business, my wife tends to be much more amenable about it than me. Our daughters would go out and my wife goes to sleep, however, I stay awake. I wait to hear when they arrive at their destination and I text them to make sure that they are preparing to return home. Not only do I stay awake, but I am truly fearful. So when my teenage daughters would ask me about using the car at ridiculously late hours, just days prior to their scheduled departure for camp; I always hesitated. I shared my fear and anxiety with them. As the departure date grew nearer, I also became concerned that something would happen to the car and then my wife wouldn’t have a car. With each request for the car, there was the standard amount of fear and anxiety roiling through my stomach, increasing tension between my concerns and fears and my daughters’ wants and sense of freedom. I considered it a small blessing if they acquiesced to my anxiety and fear and allowed me to drive. Needless to say, I was thoroughly exhausted leading up to their departure

This week we read from Parsha Chukkat. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Chukkat. Chukkat begins by telling us the Law for the Red Heifer. The Priest who prepares the mixture of water and the Red Heifers burnt ashes will render the entire nation spiritually pure; but the mixture will render him impure. A brief narrative concerning the death of Miriam, the lack of water and B’nai Yisroel’s resulting anxiety and lack of faith leads to the issuance of another test of faith in the Wilderness. Moshe and Aaron don’t know what to do; so God tells them to speak water will spring forth. Instead of following instructions, Moshe succumbed to his anger and hit the rock with his staff. Indeed water came out, the people drank, but Moshe and Aharon were punished. Aharon died and Moshe learned that he would not be able to enter into Eretz Canaan. As B’nai Yisroel resumes its wandering, they are attacked by Amalek. As a result, B’nai Yisroel is forced to go around the heart of Amalek territory. The people complain to Moshe again. They try to seek permission from the Sihon, the King of the Amorites, to pass through Amorite territory. Sihon denies permission and B’nai Yisroel attacks and eventually defeats the Amorites. Og King of Bashan tries to prevent B’nai Yisroel from marching through his land, B’nai Yisroel, with the help of Hashem, defeat King Og and his army.  The Parsha concludes with B’nai Yisroel settling on the Plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan poised to enter into Canaan.

                Towards the end of the Parsha, Moshe and B’nai Yisroel, now consisting mostly of a population that never experienced slavery first hand, fought and battled against several of the indigenous tribes.  By this point, Mosh’s sister had passed away as well as his brother Aharon. Really, the only people that the Torah records as adult slaves in Egypt, who left Egypt, who crossed the Reed Sea, who stood at Sinai, who had been attacked by the Amalekites, who, like Moshe dealt with the negative report from 10 of the 12 spies were the two spies who offered a positive report: Joshua and Caleb.  Moshe is indeed the elder. After defeating the Sihon king of the Amorites Moshe and B’nai Yisroel turn north. Vayifnu V’Yaalu Derech HaBashan And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan Vayeitze Og Melech HaBashan Likratam Hu V’ Chol Amo Lamilchama Edrei And Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he and all his people to the battle at Edrei. Vayomer HaShem El Moshe, Al Tirah Oto  - And God said to Moses “Fear him not”. (Num. 21:33-34). Clearly, if God is telling Moshe to refrain from feeling scared, then obviously God is aware that Moshe is fearful.  Until this moment, at no point have we been told that Moshe is scared or that God instructs him “Not to be scared”. Yes, Moshe has been frustrated, aggravated, angry with his people and even concerned that he won’t be able to do the job. He wasn’t scared of Pharoah when Pharoah grew angry, he wasn’t scared of God when God grew angry. Why now?  Moshe had already been told that he would not be permitted to bring B’nai Yisroel into Canaan. Moshe knows that soon, his mission will conclude. He has just buried his sister and his brother. He must feel incredibly mortal. Sensing his own mortality, he is more anxious and fearful of the risks and challenges that he and his people face. However, Moshe's fear  "of him" might not necessarily be directed at Og of Bashan.  We could understand “Oto” as “it”, fearful of "it"; as in the remainder of the process, the process of entry in Canaan. We could understand the “it”, as the remaining time Moshe has to complete his part of the mission or whatever else that may cause an elderly person anxiety about and fear for his children, grandchildren, and descendants.

                 Now that my wife and kids are in camp, and everyone is where they are supposed to be; at least as far, as I know, I sleep great. I don’t worry about my kids taking the car so late at night. I don’t worry about their running out to visit their friends. They are at camp with their friends.  However, I still find things to worry about, be anxious about, and sometimes fear for my children. Late last there was an earthquake in Southern California and there have been hundreds of aftershocks since then, and one aftershock even registered a 7.1 on the Richter scale. Any guesses regarding where our son has been (along with his unit from camp) this past week? That’s right. He has spent the week in L.A. I spoke to him before he boarded the plane and specifically told him to let me know when he arrives. I’m still waiting anxiously to hear from him even though I know that he and his group are perfectly safe. I guess being a parent means living with a certain amount of fear and anxiety.

Peace,

Rav Yitz

One Step Done and Another Begun (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "New Speedway Boogie)

Our children finally completed the school year. Our 13 year old daughter just graduated from 8^th grade. All week, we have been purchasing clothing, toiletries and sundry camp items in order to get our three adolescent children packed and ready for camp. For the past week our 13 year old has been studying for a few final exams and focusing on a strong academic finish. When we have offered to help her to label clothing and help her pack for camp, well let’s just say she had difficulty focusing upon both preparing for final exams and packing.  Needless to say, the final 24-36 hours prior to her departure for camp, was filled with high drama and tension because she insisted that she knew what was required in order to pack for camp, she insisted that she knew how to label and pack for camp, and that she did not want any help.  While I thought that this growing sense of independence was commendable, I just about blew a gasket when I would see her watching something stupid on TV or wasting time on the computer instead of focusing upon the task at hand. Yes, our daughter might have graduated from 8^th grade, but she just starting the process of growing up. She has a long way to go. Yet, she has taken a first step.

This Shabbat we read from Parsha Chukkat. God gives Moshe the Law of the Red Heifer. Miriam dies. The well that provided water for Bnai Yisroel due to her merit, dried up. Moshe and Aharon have the unfortunate incident of asking God for water, striking the rock rather than speaking to the rock and then are told that neither will enter into Eretz Canaan. The people get water. Bnai Yisroel fights Edom and wins. Aharon dies, and his son replaces him as Kohen Gadol. Amalek attacks and Bnai Yisroel fights back and wins. Bnai Yisroel complains about the fact that they have to take another detour and food seems scarce. God gets angry and punishes them with fiery serpents. Bnai Yisroel pleads for forgiveness. They travel some more and arrive at the border of the Amorites and the Moabites.  Bnai Yisroel asks Sihon, Amorite King, permission to pass through his land. He refuses and instead chooses to fight Bnai Yisroel. Bnai Yisroel fights and beats King Sihon and his Amorite army.  The parsha concludes with Bnai Yisroel encamped on the Plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan River opposite Jericho. 

Yes, a lot things occur in this Parsha, however it is important to realize that nearly 38 years passed between the start of the Parsha, and the conclusion of the Parsha.  Somewhere in the Parsha, those born in the wilderness, or those that were very young at the time of Yetziat Mitzrayim, reached adulthood, they developed physically, they developed emotionally, and they developed spiritually. This generation’s growth and development spiritually is not a straight line gradually going up at a 20 degree angle. There are stops and starts, there are moments of growth, there are moments of regression and there are moment of plateauing.  Yet it is Parsha Chukkat which contains within it a transition of nearly forty years, a period of time in which a generation grew up.  However there is one small narrative that occurs which serves as the first indication that this generation is growing up, graduating. No it is not too terribly a large accomplishment but it is the first step.  Miriam had died, the incident with the water and the rock had occurred. Clearly there was a transition of leadership that was in process. Aharon just died and his son Elazar had just been anointed Kohen Gadol.  Bnai Yisroel weeps and mourns for Aharon.  Then the Canaanite king of Arad attacks Israel and takes a captive. At this point we are told that Vayidar Yisroel Neder L’Adoshem, VaYomer Im Noton Titen Et Ha’Am HaZeh B’Yadi, VHaChaRaMti Et Areihem – If You will deliver this people into my hand, I will consecrate their cities.” (Num21:2)  God listens, and delivers the enemy into Israel’s hand. Israel consecrates the cities to God.  There is no complaining. There is no whining. There is only an expression of faith during an anxious moment, and “if, then” vow. For the first time, Bnai Yisroel acts as one people, hence the use of the singular rather than the plural. For the first time, Bnai Yisroel appeals to God directly. For the first time, Bnai Yisroel doesn’t expect something for nothing, rather they are willing to do something in return - VHaChaRaMti et Areihem, I will consecrate their cities. Certainly, they still have some spiritual growing up to do, but this was their first step towards being a people of spiritual maturity and faith.

               

An 8^th graduation is not a very big deal as far as graduations go. As parents our “graduation bar” has been set a little higher: graduation from college/university, and hopefully graduate school.  However, as our daughter walked across the stage to receive her “diploma”, I smiled proudly knowing that I just saw her take her first steps towards intellectual maturity and emotional maturity. Yes there will be some regression; there will be stops and starts, and perhaps resting upon a plateau or two.  However, both she and I understood the significance of the small and seemingly insignificant first step. She understood that she took the smallest steps towards independence and growing up.  

Peace,

Rav Yitz

I Still Might Warn A Few (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Ship of Fools")

My wife drives the minivan. She drives the carpool. She shleps a lot of material and learning supplies back and forth between her two work sights. However when we go anywhere as a family and we take the minivan, especially on long drives, I do the driving.  So I will get into the driver’s seat, I will turn on the ignition, and the car starts. Invariably, there will be warning lights that will go on and stay on as well. The gas tank light will be on, the “fix engine” light will be on, the “oil change” light will be on, the tire pressure light will be on.  Then I look over at my wife and ask as calmly as I can if she didn’t notice all the lights were on as she drove. I ask if she wasn’t curious as to why so many indicator lights were on. By this time I am so frustrated because before we can actually go anywhere, I have to go to the gas station. I need to buy gas, I need to check the air in the tires, I need to add oil, and check the transmission fluid. Obviously had I known about all the indicator lights the day or two before, I would have taken care of it right away. Clearly the indicator lights are telling the driver something. If the driver is aware of the purpose of the indicator lights and has enough concern and curiosity, the indicator lights are very helpful. However if the driver is unaware and just drives the care until it won’t move anymore, than all the indicator lights in the world won’t matter. Needless to say that my aggravation as I turn on my wife’s car is that she consistently ignores the indicator lights and figures she can always driver to the next destination and that her car will miraculously tell me what needs to fixed and just leave her out.

This morning we read from Parsha BaHalotcha. This Shabbat we read from Parsha Bahalotcha. For the previous two Parshiot, Bemidbar and Naso, Bnai Yisroel has counted and prepared for their journey from Sinai to Eretz Canaan. This week, the final preparations are ordered and executed and the departure from Sinai begins. Aaron, Moshe’s brother and the Kohen Gadol, lights the lamp for the Mishkan, the entire Levite tribe is purified, offerings made and their service for maintenance of the Mishkan begins. Final instructions for observing Pesach under these new conditions, (they were not leaving Egypt anymore nor had they arrived in the land) were offered, including the case of coming into contact with the deceased and becoming spiritually impure. The narrative tells us the manner in which Bnai Yisroel traveled: sheltered by a cloud during the day, and protected by a pillar of fire at night. Then the complaining begins. They complain about the Mannah. They complain about the food. They complain about Moshe’s leadership. Moshe’s sister complains about his wife.

As Bnai Yisroel finally begins its trek from Sinai towards Canaan, the Torah makes the following statement.  Vayehi Binsoah Ha’Aron VaYomer Moshe, Kuma Adoshem VeYaFuTzu Oyavecha, VeYaNuSu Misanecha MiPanecha. U’vNucho Yomar Shuva Adoshem Rivvot Alfei Yisroel – When the Ark would journey, Moshe said: ‘Arise Hashem, and let Your foes be scattered let those who hate You flee from before You. And when it rested, he would say, ‘reside tranquilly, O Hashem, among the myriad thousands of Israel. (Num. 10:35) Today we say the first part of the verse while we take the Torah out from the Aron before we read the Torah, and we say the second part of the statement when we have finished reading from the Torah and are returning it to the Aron.  In the Torah, this verse is enclosed by two brackets. The bracket is really an inverted letter, the letter “Nun”.   The Talmud in Shabbat 116a teach us Mipnei Sh’ Sefer Chashuv Hu Bifnei Atzmo – Because it constituted a book on its own. This is a rather cryptic statement since it suggests that there are more than 5 books comprising the Torah. We normally think of the Torah as comprised of 5 Books (Breishit- Genesis, Shmot –Exodus, Vayikra – Leviticus, Bemidbar-Numbers, Devarim-Deuteronomy). Now the Talmud is suggesting that there is another book?

Perhaps the bracket are the indicator lights. The verse within the brackets is the one section of the User’s Manual that will constantly be referred to during this one aspect of the journey. Originally this journey was supposed to be a few weeks or months at the most. Bnai Yisroel had not yet been punished with 40 years of “wandering in the desert’.  Most of the Torah’s instructions were given in anticipation of Bnai Yisroel’s eventual arrival in Canaan. In the meantime, this is the verse that they will need to refer to, this is the section of the user manual that Bnai Yisroel will need in order to survive until their eventual arrival. In reality, this is the “Book” that they would use each day that they travelled and each day that they would temporarily rest.

Whether it is our car, an appliance, our phone or computer, there are certain “user manuals” that we use more often than others. Within those “user manuals”, there are certain sections that get used far more often than other parts. Perhaps we have marked them off by folding down the page or putting in a paper clip or highlighting it with a marker. Whatever the case, we are aware of the indicator light and know that when we see the indicator light, or we here a certain sound, we know exactly where to go in the user manual in order to fix the problem.  We just need to pay attention to the indicator lights and the warning signs in order to proceed in an appropriate manner.

Peace,

Rav Yitz