Lasting Inspiration

BH

This Shabbat we read the portions of Matos and Maasei as a combined Torah portion. The first explains how Moshe told over the laws concerning the annulment of vows to the leaders of Israel’s tribes. The “Hebrews” head to war with Midian, citing their role in plotting the moral destruction of Israel. The Torah tells of the war spoils and how they were allocated amongst the people.

Later, the tribes of Reuven (Reuben) and Gad (which were later joined half of the tribe of Menashe (Menasseh)) ask for the land east of the Jordan (Today actually known as Jordan) to be their portion of the Promised Land, acknowledging the prime pastureland it provides for their cattle. Moshe is initially angered by the request, but subsequently agrees on the condition that they first join, and in fact lead, the conquest of the lands to the west.

The second portion, Maasei, begins with the phrase, Eileh Maasei Bnai Yisroel – These are the journeys of Israel. ‘Journeys’, as the name of the portion translates, perfectly describes our people. We are wanderers. Voluntarily or by expulsion, this is part of nearly each of us, or of our parents or grandparents. How is it that we keep going?!

However, when we left Egypt, the forty years in the desert were actually not spent in aimless wandering. Every move was "by the word of G‑d,” as the Torah tells us in this Parsha. The Torah in this very Parsha rejects the thought of G‑d abandoning us.

We, as Jewish people do not “go”; we are “sent”. He who sends us always accompanies us, whether we are aware of it or not! The Jew never felt alone, though he was surrounded by enemies. This was always and still is today the beauty of our religion.

I just returned earlier this week from leading a Taglit: Birthright trip to Israel. 40 college aged students from all over the country. Most did not know each other before, but are now best friends. These people didn’t “go” to Israel, they were “sent”! There was a reason each of them needed to be there!

For some it was to find new companionship while for others it was religious inspiration. Yet, some needed a break from reality, and others in fact needed a reality check! Our Birthright bus, titled, “Mayanot 260” contained 54 different people (40 American participants, eight Israeli soldiers that join for the opportunity of integration, four staff, a bus driver and a security guard). Each of us were on a Journey.

You could in fact look at our bus and summarize in one word – yes you guessed it – “Journeys”! Some of us were just at a stopover on our journey and for some, the journey had just begun. Four of us donned Teffilin for the first time. The girls lit Shabbat candles together as a family! Our now close family even celebrated the Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah of two of our own! One of us even received our Jewish name! And even our soldiers – who put their lives on the line everyday to protect OUR homeland - were on a journey!

This was the journey of Judaism. This was the journey of friendship. This was the journey of inspiration.G-d, the one who “sent” us all on this journey through Israel, was with us every step of the way. There is no doubt in my mind. I am convinced I felt it on 10 out of 10 days during the trip!

We spent 10 days on a bus touring and studying our beautiful land. The topics discussed in the Parsha this week such as the Jordan River, Judea, Samaria and more are topics that were constantly on our minds! The journey could not have been in a better place and certainly not at a better time!

As Shabbat comes in, I recall where I was last week as the sun set. Lighting Shabbat candles with the girls of Mayanot 260 in Jerusalem followed by an inspiring Friday night service at the Kotel, the western wall. We touched the wall as we prayed and cried and as we sang and danced. What an amazing inspiration!

I told myself then, that I would not let the inspiration my group gave me disappear to fast! I would like to share some of that with you, and I hope I have!