By Rabbi Yisroel Shusterman
This week’s Parsha
Perspective is dedicated in memory of Elka
bas Zisel OBM
Dedicated in memory
of Leah bas Rochel OBM
In the
closing Torah portions of Bamidbor - Matos Masei [Numbers
30:2-36:13] - which we will be reading this Shabbos - are the words:
"These are the journeys of the children of Israel…"
Forty-two
encampments of the Israelite camp are then enumerated, documenting
their travels from Egypt to the banks of the Jordan.
But why are these
forty-two pit stops referred to as "journeys," rather than
"encampments"?
Didn't they serve primarily as places of rest, not
just points of departure? And weren't each of these destinations milestones
reached, not just locations left behind?
Herein lies one of
Judaism's revolutionary teachings.
It's not the
milestones we reach, but the stones we encounter along the mile, that define
us, and make us who we are.
In other words: The
journey itself is part of the destination.
Ironically, it's
often the achievements placed under our belts that squeeze the air of progress
out of us. And it's the honorary medals that hang around our necks that choke
and stifle our growth.
Rather than define
us, accomplishment can confine us.
A principal who was
active in growing his Hebrew school's enrollment once wrote a very proud letter
to the Rebbe listing all of his successes.
The Rebbe responded.
Between his blessings and remarks, he also added in one word:
"Success?"
The principal was
stunned! A short while later found him in the Rebbe's room for a private
audience.
"What was the
comment on my letter supposed to mean?" he asked the Rebbe.
The Rebbe gently
asked him to define success. The Rebbe then asked him whether one can herald as
a success having a few dozen children enrolled in a school - when there are so
many more children who still are receiving no Jewish education.
"But I tripled
the enrollment," the individual protested, "is that not considered
success?"
The Rebbe explained
to him, "Success means exerting effort and consists of the continued
struggle to do what is right…"
Milestones often act
as tombstones; both (can) bury away a life of vitality.
Success shouldn't be
measured by how far we get in life, but by the depth of life we get.
(Excerpts from
Chabad.org by Rabbi Mendel Kalmenson)
May you
have a meaningful and uplifting Shabbos!
If you would like to
dedicate the weekly Parsha Perspective in honor or memory of a person
or occasion, please contact Rabbi
Shusterman at yshusterman@chedermonsey.org
