Sh’lach L’cha
Numbers 13:1-15:41
Précis: Moses is ordered to “send out” (sh’lach l’cha) spies to examine the land. Princes of each tribe go out, report on its bounty, but also report about its fearsome inhabitants. The People are frightened, and “murmuring” turns to something close to panic. God tells Moses that He will destroy the People, but Moses intercedes; the People are sentenced to spend 40 years in the desert. The parasha then returns to matters concerning the Tabernacle, with a discussion of the offering for unintentional sins. Next, the parasha discusses the wearing of tzitzit, a paragraph which is part of the tradition recitation of the Shema. This is the 27th of 54 parshiot, marking the half-way point in the yearly reading
Numbers 13:1-2 “And Adonai spoke to Moses, saying, ’Send men and let them scout out the land of Canaan that I am giving to the children of Israel; send one man from each tribe, each a prince of his tribe.’”
In our parasha this week, Moses sends out 12 spies to scout out the land. Ten return frightened, while two (Joshua and Caleb) bring back an enthusiastic report, confident that with God’s support, anything could be accomplished. While the others are downcast and frightened, Joshua and Caleb are two leaders guided by faith who can proclaim that, with God’s help, all things are possible while the others demur.
Here is a defining moment of leadership for Joshua and Caleb: all of the other team members disagree on the correct course of action to take. Do they attempt to “reconcile” or come to a meeting of the minds? No, they “know” that the correct course of action is to move forward, and they refuse to allow the majority’s view to stand unopposed.
Sometimes, leaders find themselves in a position where, when they look around, there is no one following. Sometimes it’s because they are leading towards where they should not be going. But at other times, when there is no one following, it’s because the others all fail to realize the importance of the journey, or the importance of the goal which lies ahead.
It’s the toughest moment of leadership anyone can face, because being firm in one’s convictions when one is out on a limb is a challenge which tests our self-confidence and our faith. If we have faith in our experience, skills and ability, we can overcome the challenges we face.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Listen for the Trumpet
B’haalot’cha
Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Précis: The parasha begins with a description of the making of the Menorah, a central Jewish symbol. Next, the Levites are given added directions in their roles. The parasha returns to narrative with a recounting of a second Passover celebration (required because some of the Israelites had been ritually impure when the first anniversary of Passover was celebrated). Next comes a discussion of the making of silver trumpets. The cloud of God’s Presence lifts, and the march of the People through the wilderness from Sinai begins. Details are offered about how they proceeded through the desert, led by the Ark. The people begin to murmur again about they lack of meat. God provides the people with meat – after which they are struck with a severe plague. This time, even Miriam and Aaron seem to have complaints about Moses, cast in terms of their critique about his “Cushite woman.” Moses is, as always, vindicated at the end.
Numbers 10:1-2 “Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Have two silver trumpets made; make them of hammered work. They will serve you to summon the community and to set the divisions in motion.’”
The 18th century Chasidic rebbe, Dov Baer of Mezritch asked, “Why did Moses need to make two trumpets to summon the people and begin their march?” He suggested that the Hebrew word for trumpets, “chatzotz’rot” could be construed as “chatzei tzurot”, or “two sides.” Moses was often considered to lead an almost angelic existence with God, and yet was also a leader of a very real-world community. The two trumpets could be viewed as a way to bridge the gap between the two sides of Moses, or to bridge the gap between an individual (Moses) and the community.
Today, we need more than a single trumpet to get the community in motion, something which can bridge the diversity of the Jewish People and can bridge the mundane and the spiritual sides of our natures. Some “trumpets” can be ritual reminders: a mezuzah, t’fillin, Shabbat, recitations of blessings, etc. Others can be calls to action by our community leaders or clergy. At a time when the Jewish People are so diverse, having a multiplicity of “trumpets” can help insure that all of us begin the march together when we are called.
Numbers 8:1 - 12:16
Précis: The parasha begins with a description of the making of the Menorah, a central Jewish symbol. Next, the Levites are given added directions in their roles. The parasha returns to narrative with a recounting of a second Passover celebration (required because some of the Israelites had been ritually impure when the first anniversary of Passover was celebrated). Next comes a discussion of the making of silver trumpets. The cloud of God’s Presence lifts, and the march of the People through the wilderness from Sinai begins. Details are offered about how they proceeded through the desert, led by the Ark. The people begin to murmur again about they lack of meat. God provides the people with meat – after which they are struck with a severe plague. This time, even Miriam and Aaron seem to have complaints about Moses, cast in terms of their critique about his “Cushite woman.” Moses is, as always, vindicated at the end.
Numbers 10:1-2 “Adonai spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Have two silver trumpets made; make them of hammered work. They will serve you to summon the community and to set the divisions in motion.’”
The 18th century Chasidic rebbe, Dov Baer of Mezritch asked, “Why did Moses need to make two trumpets to summon the people and begin their march?” He suggested that the Hebrew word for trumpets, “chatzotz’rot” could be construed as “chatzei tzurot”, or “two sides.” Moses was often considered to lead an almost angelic existence with God, and yet was also a leader of a very real-world community. The two trumpets could be viewed as a way to bridge the gap between the two sides of Moses, or to bridge the gap between an individual (Moses) and the community.
Today, we need more than a single trumpet to get the community in motion, something which can bridge the diversity of the Jewish People and can bridge the mundane and the spiritual sides of our natures. Some “trumpets” can be ritual reminders: a mezuzah, t’fillin, Shabbat, recitations of blessings, etc. Others can be calls to action by our community leaders or clergy. At a time when the Jewish People are so diverse, having a multiplicity of “trumpets” can help insure that all of us begin the march together when we are called.
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