On several occasions as they wander through the wilderness the Israelites challenge Moses’ authority. In this week’s parsha Korach, son of Moses’ first cousin Izhar, leads a rebellion against Moses and enlists the aid from Reubenites, Datan, Abiram, On and 250 chieftains. They indict Moses and Aaron and say:” You have gone too far! For all the community are holy and God is in their midst. Why then do you raise yourselves above God’s congregation?”

The chutzpah the Israelites have shown is unbelievable. Both Moses and Aaron have worked so hard for the whole community. The Israelites are so ungrateful. Eventually Moses takes hold of the situation prays to God and God swallows the rebels. God does not like ungrateful people and God does not like those who are jealous of other people’s power or position. Moses exhibits his humility over and over again. God knows Moses and Aaron are unwilling leaders but leaders none the less.

Even though we must always guard ourselves against unscrupulous leaders we should also be grateful for those who take positions of leadership because often times most people do not have the time or inclination to take leadership positions in a religious institution. Let us think about the leaders in our little shul and thank them for all they do.

This week’s Torah portion Sh’lach L’cha is a study in positive thinking. Moses sends out 12 spies to evaluate the land of Israel and the people inhabiting it. Ten of the spies come back thinking that the people are too strong and the Israelites would be defeated. Only Joshua and Caleb say that if the Israelites trust in God they can be victorious and make Israel their own. God is furious with the Children of Israel and wants to destroy them because they believe the ten “negative” spies. God does not want such negativity to permeate his “chosen people” and is willing to just keep the family of Moses alive. Once again Moses pleads for all his people. God relents and is willing to compromise by sparing them but not allowing the Israelites to enter the Land of Israel and instead wander the desert until the entire “negative” generation is killed off. Of that generation only Caleb and Joshua survive. They are rewarded for their positive nature, trust in God and courage.

When all the spies were complaining and afraid only Joshua and Caleb stood up and disagreed with them. That shows true courage and for that act of courage Joshua became the leader of the Jewish people after Moses. God rewards people for true courage and those who trust in Him.

B’midbar this week’s Torah portion begins the fourth book of the Torah. It is not only the name of the parsha of the week but it is the name of the entire book. The custom is to the name the entire book from the name of the first portion. The book of numbers recounts the story of the 40 year wanderings of the Jewish people in the desert. It is the name however which really describes the journey of our people. They are in the wilderness spiritually, emotionally and literally. Wilderness is a time, place or feeling without orienting landmarks or structure. The Israelites must find their way and become a people connected to each other, God and tradition. We, too must always find our way. We are all on this journey in the proverbial wilderness, always looking for meaning and structure. The ancients eventually used Judaism as their guide, let us too explore our tradition to find our way.

Cantor Sussman

This week’s Torah Portion is a double portion Behar/Bechukotai. In Behar the laws concerning the observance of the sabbatical and jubilee years are proposed. The Israelites are commanded to give their fields and vineyards “a complete rest” every seventh year, eating only what grows from uncultivated ground. After seven Sabbaticals that is, in the fiftieth year the Israelites are commanded to “Proclaim Liberty throughout the Lands for All Its Inhabitants.” On Yom Kippur of that year the shofar is sounded, announcing the Jubilee, “the year of release” during which all tribal lands are to return to their original borders and all slaves are freed. This says that the land ultimately belongs to God and no one should be a slave forever and there should not be a permanent underclass. The words proclaiming the Jubilee appears on the Liberty Bell. It says in our prayer book that our children are on loan to us. We can expand that and say all that we have is on loan to us so we must treat all we have with respect and reverence. The concept of conservation comes from this Torah portion as well as the concept of ultimate freedom for all. Ancient words still waiting to be fulfilled.

Cantor Sussman