Our Talmudic rabbis spent copious amounts of time theorizing about why the First and Second Temples fell, says Rabbi Dalia Samansky ahead of Tisha b’Av. “But as much as we try to find reasons, we also know that sometimes, there are none — life just isn’t fair. Each of us must face challenges and calamities that compel us to question our theology and ultimately force us to reexamine and refocus our values and understandings of life.”
Most of the 12 spies Moses sent to scout the Promised Land returned in fear. But unlike the others, Joshua insisted, “We should go forth.” “His hope and faith enabled him to persevere with courage and strength,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “The Psalmists teach: ‘Be strong and of moral courage.’ Let us be reminded that we are strong, that we can rely on one another, and that we are not alone. We have come through the narrowest of passages before and will do so again.”
“This week, we were treated to a master class in leadership,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. When tasked with anointing a new leader, Moses did not cling to his role or pass it on to his sons. Instead, he set out to ensure the right leader was selected, throwing his full support behind Joshua. “Leadership is about finding the right balance — knowing when to hold your ground and when to compromise.”
Hired to curse the Israelites, Balam approaches the Israelites’ encampment, but he unexpectedly utters a blessing… “Moments have the potential to go either way,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “Inside all of us are competing inclinations.” Which one will win? The one you feed.
We often hear Pirkei Avot quoted: “You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to abandon it,” says Rabbi Dalia Samansky. While generally used in social justice circles, this quote also reminds us that “ultimately, leadership must be passed on to each new generation — willingly or unwillingly.” Over the course of this week’s parashah, “both Miriam and Aaron die, and Moses finds out that he will not be the one who leads his people into the Promised Land, thus beginning the passing of leadership to the next generation of Israelites.”
Infamous among those excluded from the census in the Book of Numbers was the power-hungry rebel Korah, who was swallowed up by the earth, and the children of Aaron. “Even the sons of the high priest are not above the law,” says Rabbi Samantha Natov. “It is as if the sheer weight of their inflated self-importance pulls them down. And there is a lesson in this…”
