Once We Grew Into Our Shoes; We Told Them Where To Go (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia: "Days Between ")

           One of the indicators that summer is drawing towards its inevitable conclusion is the return of my wife and children from summer camp. My wife, our twenty-year-old daughter, and eighteen-year-old son returned this week. I have lost track of loads of laundry we have done and the loads of laundry that still need to be done. While my daughter was unpacking and we were loading the washer, she began to unpack all her shoes and showed me a pair of sneakers that were falling apart. She smiled and said that she needs to a new pair of sneakers; I smiled and wondered aloud why she had brought the old ruined ones home in the first place.  Seven weeks of camp and he had completely destroyed a new pair of sneakers. 

           This Shabbat we read from Parshat Eikev. This week’s Parsha is Eikev. Here in his second discourse, Moshe explains to the new generation how the second set of tablets that contain the Aseret Dibrot (Ten Commandments) came into being. He describes how God forgave their parents for their idolatrous behavior in regards to the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf), Moshe explains that B’nai Yisroel’s essential task is to refrain from Idolatry, serve God, worship God, and the nation will be rewarded with water, grass and quality lives. Moshe also reminds B’nai Yisroel that they have nothing to fear when they enter Canaan and conquer the land even though they may be outnumbered. God has already and will continue to protect his people. He did so during the Yetziat Mitzrayim (Exodus from Egypt). He did so when B’nai Yisroel defeated Og and Bashan. As long as B’nai Yisroel keeps its side of the Brit, God will continue to protect his people.

           While Moshe recounts the experience at Mt. Sinai, now known as Mt. Horeb, he explains that the misfortunes that befell B’nai Yisroel were L’Nastocha LD’aat et Asher Bilvavecha HaTishmor Mitzvotav Im Lo – tests, to know what is in your heart whether you would observe His commandments or not (Deut. 8:2). While Moshe explains B’nai Yisroel’s recent history in terms of a Divine Test, he makes an odd statement as he cites some of the miracles that B’nai Yisroel may have overlooked or taken for granted. Simlatcha lo Valtah Mei’Alecha, V’Raglecha Lo VaTzeika Zeh Arbaim Shana- Your garments did not wear out upon you and your foot did not swell these forty years (Deut.8:4). Forty years of living in the Wilderness and no one outgrew their clothing nor wore out their clothing or their sandals. Certainly, their clothing and sandals were not made with the same high-quality material as our daughter’s.  Rashi, the great 11th-century French commentator, offers an explanation base on a literal understanding of the verse. Anenei Kavod Hayu SHafin Bichsutam –The Clouds of Glory would rub their clothes U’MGaHaTzim Otam- and press them, Kmin Keilim M’Guhatzim – like freshly pressed garments. V’Af Ketaneihem Kmo Hayu Gdeilim Haya Gadeil Levushan Imahem – and their young too, as they would grow, their clothing grew with them, K’Lvush HaZeh shel Chomet Sh’Gdeil Imo – like the clothing (shell) of a snail which grows with it. This is not the kind of miracle that one notices and has an awe-inspiring moment. Rather this is the type of miracle that one becomes aware of after the fact. Maybe this type of miracle is unnoticeable on a day-to-day basis but over the course of years and decades, looking back, one realizes what took place.  However, a more figurative way to understand Moshe’s statement is that the clothes are God’s teachings, God’s commandments, and God’s Torah. Torah, and Moshe’s teachings, by design, are supposed to grow with the person and never become old, worn out, or obsolete.

           I suppose sneaker manufacturers and brands would hate the idea that a pair of tennis, running, or basketball sneakers are synonymous with Torah. After all, Torah is designed to withstand time and space. Clothing manufacturers need children to outgrow their clothes and wear out their shoes. Otherwise, there would be no need to buy more sneakers and jeans. I became very aware of this as I closely inspected our daughter’s shredded sneaker.  As we drove back to Toronto, we passed an outlet mall on the New York State Thruway and bought him another pair of sneakers. I know that his foot hasn’t stopped growing, so we will have to buy more sneakers in another 9-12 months. I told him that I did not want to buy him another pair because he wore them out so quickly but rather because he outgrew them. Maybe he should read and study more since one doesn’t outgrow or wear out his knowledge base like he does with his clothes and his sneakers.

Peace,
Rav Yitz

Once We Grew Into Our; Shoes We Told Them Where To Go (Robert Hunter & Jerry Garcia - "Days Between")

Normally, when our children head off to summer camp, we make sure that they bring two pairs of sneakers. This usually means that they bring an old pair of sneakers that they normally throw out at the conclusion of camp and return with only one pair. The pair that returns with our son has normally been worn to such an extent that we usually need to purchase a new pair of sneakers at the beginning of the school year. Our son went to camp with two pairs of sneakers: one old and one brand new. When he returned from camp, there were two pairs of sneakers: one appearing unworn and one looking more torn up and beat up. Well, school is about to begin, and when we suggest that he disposes of the old torn up and beat up sneakers; he quickly replies that he prefers not to dispose of the sneakers nor does he want another pair of sneakers at this time. He is looking forward to wearing the unworn sneakers. However, for now, he only wants to wear the old, broken in, torn up sneakers.

This week we read from Parsha Ki Tavo. The Parsha begins with Moshe explaining the laws that are specific to B'nai Yisroel’s entry into the Land.  He reminds them of the laws of first fruits, and tithing.  Moshe reminds them that there is a powerful link between God, B'nai Yisroel, and the Land. Each needs the other.  Moshe then describes the ritual specific to this generation that will symbolize their acceptance of the Torah and the covenant.  As they cross the Jordan River, they would inscribe two stones with Kol Divrei HaTorah HaZot Ba'Eir Heiteiv – You shall inscribe on the stones all the words of this Torah well clarified.” Then the stones would be covered with plaster in order to protect the inscriptions. Moshe then reminds B'nai Yisroel that they are now an Am Yisroel– a Nation and no longer B’nai Yisroel – Children of Yisroel.  With that change of status comes responsibility, and Moshe lists the blessings and the curses that will result depending upon Am Yisroel’s behavior.  Moshe concludes his passionate plea to fulfill the covenant by giving Am Yisroel a brief history lesson. He reminds them that they left Egypt and saw all the signs and wonders (they didn’t, rather their parents and grandparents experience the Exodus and witnessed the plagues). Moshe reminds them that he let them for Forty years, and they didn’t eat bread nor drink wine, rather they experienced the miracle of the Manna. He reminds them of the battles they fought and won and finally he reminded them they were ready to begin their new lives in the land.

Certainly, the concluding verses are incredibly uplifting as Moshe passionately explains that they are ready to enter the land. However, there is one verse in this “pep-talk” that reminds us that Moshe is really an old man, a zeide (a grandfather or great-grandfather), who apparently worked in the shmatte business. “V’Oleich Etchem Arbaim Shana BaMidbar – And I led you for forty years in the Wilderness, Lo Valu Salmoteichem Mei’Aleichem V’Na’alcha Lo Valtah Mei’Al Raglecha – your garment did not wear out from on you, and your shoe did not wear out from on your foot.” (Ex. 29:4). Moshe does not explicitly mention the parting of the Yam Suf, nor surreal and miraculous moments at Sinai. Yes, he mentions some battles but shoes and clothes? The fact that they didn’t wear out after all those years; that the miracle? Well yes. Besides water and Manna, this was the one miracle that touched them on a daily basis. This is the one miracle that while it happens, they probably didn’t think about it. At least with the Manna, they had to go and gather it. At least with the Water, they had to go and draw it. However, with clothes and shoes, they would just put them on without any thought, nor effort. Now, looking back, Moshe reminds them that even the smallest miracle, that which was normally taken for granted should be considered miraculous.

Yes, it’s amazing that after two months of camp, neither outgrew nor wore out a pair of sneakers to such an extent that he asked for a new pair. Maybe the miracle is that our son decided that he could wait for a new pair of sneakers. Maybe the miracle is that our son figured he would wait until sneakers went on sale before declaring his desire for a new pair. Maybe the miracle is that our son finally understood the difference between “needing” a pair of sneakers and “wanting” a pair of sneakers.  Whatever the miracle might be; one thing is clear, our son who is a year removed from his Bar Mitzvah seems to have matured, and is ready to begin high school.

Peace,

Rav Yitz