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Newsletter                    January 29 2015 - 9 Shevat, 5755 


Businessman riding his mono cycle on the rope - concept for reckless business and risk taking - isolated  




  Navigating The Risks of Adventure

 

Mazaltov on Aaron Yoel Abramson becoming a Bar Mitzvah

To his extraordinary parents, Reb Michoel and Alex Abramson

Honored Grandparents

Mr. Eliyahu "Da Vinci" and June Abramson

Mrs. Leah Srednicki

 

In memory of

Captain Yohai Kalangel and Sergeant Dor Nini

Murdered by hezbollah



One of my neighbors, Teddy Wayne, a deservedly successful author took a risk and responded to an obviously phishing email to see what would develop. The woman described in the "introductory email" turned out to be a man, not a beautiful Russian woman searching for an American husband. I guess that one of the reasons I am not a successful author is that I would never take such a risk.

 

I usually prefer to be protected and safe as were the Children of Israel in the beginning of this week's portion, "The Lord did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although it was near, for the Lord said, 'Perhaps the people will reconsider when they see a war, and they will return to Egypt' (Exodus 13:17)." The recently freed slaves needed a sense of safety, something they missed from their decades as slaves: "If only we had died by the hand of God in the land of Egypt, as we sat by the pot of meat (16:3)."

Rabbi Shai Held calls our attention to the Midrash that suggests that the Israelites' bellicose words give them away.  During the time when they were enslaved, it teaches, "an Egyptian would go into the wilderness, seize a ram or deer, slay it, place it in a pot, cook it, and eat it, while the Israelite would look on and taste nothing."  Note carefully the people's words:  "'when we sat by the fleshpots, when we ate our fill of bread!'  It does not say 'when we ate from the fleshpots,' but 'when we sat,' because they had to eat their bread without any meat" (Exodus Rabbah 16:4).  "In the eyes of its inhabitants," Michael Walzer observes, "the house of bondage... was also a land of luxury...  No old regime is merely oppressive; it is attractive, too, else the escape from it would be much easier than it is."

 

They felt safer as slaves in Egypt than they did wandering in the desert dependent on miraculous food falling from heaven! Perhaps Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio chose to follow the example of God the Protector in the beginning of the portion when they decided to protect us from any risk. Yet, the portion concludes with the people who could not even "see a war," actually fighting in a war against Amalek. From the moment they were terrified of the Egyptian chariots forcing them into the Sea, through wandering three days in the desert without water and all the way to having to beg for food, and then the battle with Amalek, they are being forced to take risks. We are learning that God is not only the Protector; He is also the Navigator, Who guides us in learning how to take risks, allow ourselves to confront our vulnerabilities, and cease asking, "Is God among us or not (17:7)," and learn to find God inside ourselves.

 

Alexis de Tocqueville saw a legislator as, "The navigator of a ship on the high seas. He can steer the vessel on which he sails, but he cannot alter its construction, raise the wind, or stop the waves from swelling beneath his feet." The Children of Israel learning to navigate life's waves meet God the Legislator, "There He established for the nation a decree and an ordinance, and there He tested it (15:25)." This Legislator is certainly a Navigator, Who can alter the construction, raise the wind and stop the waves. However, God the Legislator, offers us through His legislation the tools necessary for us to navigate our way through risks, dangers, challenges, and vulnerabilities. "Any of the diseases I placed in Egypt, I will not bring upon you, for I am God, your Healer (Verse 26)." God is promising us that we will need healing, because He wants us to take risks. His laws are not intended to keep us perfectly safe, but to learn how to navigate the perilous waters of life.

 

Marriage is risky, as is bringing a child into the world. Asking questions can be risky, far riskier than responding to a phishing email. Searching for answers to fundamental questions is riskier than driving in a threatened blizzard. "I am God, your Healer," so apply My legislation, My Wisdom, to life's risky adventures, and I will heal you.

 

Ours is the portion that describes God allowing us to take our first steps toward independence and learn how to manage adversity. This is the portion the cries out to parents desperate to protect their children rather than allow them to master the offered tools of navigation. Ours is the portion the calls the attention of people too frightened to risk taking a close look at their relationships and taking advantage of the navigation tools of Torah. This portion offers us Torah as the guide to navigating through the risky adventure of life, and, oh, what a wonderful adventure it is!

 

Shabbat Shalom,

 

Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg 

President 
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