Do we always get a second chance?

In Parashat Devarim (specifically Deut. 1:22-45), Moses recounts the tragic story of the 12 spies. As you know, it is the event which led the Israelites to wander in the desert for 40 years. The spies - with the exception of Joshua and Caleb - all said the Land was unfit, contrary to God's promises. The people agreed and fell into despair. As a result of this incident, God realized that the generation that came out of Egypt was simply not capable, simply did not possess, the faith and the courage needed to settle the Land of Israel.

What is interesting is that after the incident of the 12 spies and God's subsequent verdict, a group of Israelites changed their minds, rallied and boldly entered Israel to fight for the Land, even though God and Moses told them not to. That campaign ended badly. 

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Questions:

• Why was the second campaign a such a failure? 
• Why didn't God support it like the incursion of the 12 spies was initially supported? 
• What happened from the time of the first campaign and the second one that made their outcomes so different one from each other?

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Sometimes, we get one chance to do the right thing. A situation presents itself. We make our decision. And the chips fall where they may. 

The Israelites had that one chance to do it right. The spies went in. They returned and reported. The people flinched. And it was done. There was no second chance for that generation. Just like the song (and Ecclesiastes) says "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Once a moment is over and the test either passed or failed, there is no going back. 

It all sounds a little harsh, I know, but the Torah is teaching us that life is like that sometimes. Cheat on a spouse. Commit a crime. Blurt out a hurtful comment. And the damage is done.  We don't always get a second chance to make it all better. 

Think twice. Act once.

Do you care what people think of you?

How much do you worry about what other people think of you?  As you live your life... as you walk through each day... how often do you find yourself modifying your choices in order to please others?   

The Baal Shem Tov told a story of a traveling musician that came to a small town. He stopped at a street corner and began to play. He was good and soon a crowd of people gathered. At first they swayed to the music. Soon they were all dancing with abandon.

At that moment, a man at the far end of town saw the crowd from a distance. All he could see was dancing as people were waving their arms and turning circles in the street. Not being able to hear the music, he thought them all crazy.

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The moral of the story?  People won't always be able - or willing - to hear your "music", but don't let that stop you from dancing.

Somebody's Son, Sat. 7/21

Somebody's Son... In Parashat Matot-Mase'ei, the Torah instructs the Jewish people to build a series of Cities of Refuge - special towns where someone could flee if they accidentally killed another person. The idea was to give them a place of protection from the vengeful relatives of their victims who might be out for their blood. Once there, they could only leave the City of Refuge AFTER the current High Priest (Kohen Gadol) passed away. It's an odd rule, but one that is clearly stated in the Torah, and thus, binding. This created a bit of a problem for the current High Priest. None of the people who fled to a City of Refuge could leave until he was dead! And since they didn't want to potentially spend decades there, the rule created an incentive for these reckless,  desperate people to either assassinate the High Priest, or to pray for his early demise.  Needless to say, this worried the High Priest's mother to no end. So what did she do? The Talmud says that she brought yummy snacks to these people in an effort to dissuade them from praying for the death of her son, or from attempting to do something even worse. Questions & Thoughts: What is the Talmud getting at? How would a mother's little plate of snacks in any way make a difference in this situation?  How could milk and cookies affect the hearts of such distressed individuals who are looking at years of restraint and restriction is in their particular City of Refuge?  One idea:  In Judaism, human life is sacred. So much so that people are never counted, for that turns them into a number. People are not numbers. They are not abstractions. Every human being is unique and irreplaceable. I think that is the Talmud's point, that by the mother bringing snacks to the the men in the city, the Kohen Gadol ceases to be an abstraction and becomes, instead, someone's son.

Fur or Fire?, Fri. 7/20

Fur or Fire? According to Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotsk, there are two ways to keep warm when you are outside on a cold winter's night - you wear a fur coat, or you build a fire. Which is better? Says the Kotsker Rebbe, when you wear a fur coat you warm yourself. Build a fire and you warm up others, as well. Questions & Thoughts: So, what do you think? Is the average individual a "fur coat" type of person or a "build a fire" type?  If you are really honest with yourself, what type are you? On the spectrum of selfish to selfless, where would you be? (Note: The Kotsker lived in the days before fiberfill. Fur was the only option. Today, it is not an option. Leave the pelts on the animals, please.)

Welcome!

B'rachim Habaim!  
Welcome to "From the Bimah"




As you know, I have started sending out every Thursday a brief summary of what my sermons will be about on the upcoming Shabbat. They are short teasers of a religious or spiritual nature where I present an issue and perhaps pose a question or two. My hope is that my gentle readers will be curious enough to come to Services at Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach and learn more.


Well, it seems that many of my gentle readers are choosing to sleep in and/or are out of town for the summer. Many have, however, expressed a keen interest in learning more about the topics presented in my weekly emails.


Your wish is my command.
Allow me to introduce my new "From the Bimah" Blog...


Here's how it works:

1. Read the Email: Every Thursday, I will send out a "From The Bimah" email. I'll present issues. I'll ask questions. (And I'll hope and pray that you come to Services).
2. Click the Link: I will also include a link in each email that will take you to my "From the Bimah" blog. Simply click the link in the email to go to the blog, or once at the blog, bookmark the page.
3. Visit the Blog: Every Sunday, I will post on the blog a follow-up to the issues I presented in my Thursday email and discussed on Shabbat. So even if you don't get to Services, you will still be able to join in the conversation!
4. Post a Comment: You will also be able to post comments on the blog, as well. You'll see my comments. You'll see comments made by others. I'd like to see your comments. We will all be able to share our thoughts and opinions with each other about things that matter even if we are not in the same room at the same time!

This blog is a grand experiment. It exists for your enjoyment and benefit and I encourage you to jump right in. I hope you will join me in expanding our Jewish learning, whether it be at Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach, or from the comfort of your home while at your computer.


Either way, Heinei Mah Tov U'manayim, Shevet Achim Gam Yachad - It is good and pleasant when brothers and sisters sit and learn together.




L'Shalom,


Rabbi Michael Resnick
Temple Emanu-El of Palm Beach


rabbimichael@tepb.org