Transitions are hard; so is change. Perhaps that is why we want life to be predictable and certain. But even if that is what we crave, in our hearts we know life is always changing. Once we were young and we grew into adulthood. Once we had young children, now they are grown, perhaps with children of their own. We may be strong now, but we know we will age, grow weaker and eventually die. These are the realities of life, even if we turn away from them most of the time.
In this week’s Torah portion, Chukat, two of the Israelites most important leaders die, Miriam at the beginning of our portion (Numbers 20:1) and Aaron at the end (Numbers 20:28). This is a time of transition. Commenting on these deaths Rashi (11th C. Germany) adds, “because those who were to die in the wilderness had already ceased to exist.” In other words, the entire generation who had experienced slavery had also died (with the exception of Moses, Joshua and Caleb). A new generation, born in the freedom and privation of the wilderness journey now comes into their own.
They have some of the same traits as their parents. They complain when Miriam dies, “how will we get water?” (Numbers 20:2). When Aaron dies they complain again about the uncertainty of food in the wilderness (Numbers 21:5) and they are struck with a plague of poisonous snakes. Yet there is also change and growth. This new generation does something their parents never could, they take responsibility for their actions, apologize, and seek forgiveness “We sinned by speaking against יהוה and against you. Intercede with Adonai to take away the serpents from us!” (Numbers 21:7) Again, according to Rashi for this reason God ends the plague.
We can learn from this to adapt to life’s changes, no matter how difficult they may be. We can embrace life and continue to change and grow as long as we are alive.
Chukat, Numbers 19:1-22:1; Parashat HaShavua for Shabbat, July 13, 2024
July 12, 2024 by tbhrich • Drashot
Transitions are hard; so is change. Perhaps that is why we want life to be predictable and certain. But even if that is what we crave, in our hearts we know life is always changing. Once we were young and we grew into adulthood. Once we had young children, now they are grown, perhaps with children of their own. We may be strong now, but we know we will age, grow weaker and eventually die. These are the realities of life, even if we turn away from them most of the time.
In this week’s Torah portion, Chukat, two of the Israelites most important leaders die, Miriam at the beginning of our portion (Numbers 20:1) and Aaron at the end (Numbers 20:28). This is a time of transition. Commenting on these deaths Rashi (11th C. Germany) adds, “because those who were to die in the wilderness had already ceased to exist.” In other words, the entire generation who had experienced slavery had also died (with the exception of Moses, Joshua and Caleb). A new generation, born in the freedom and privation of the wilderness journey now comes into their own.
They have some of the same traits as their parents. They complain when Miriam dies, “how will we get water?” (Numbers 20:2). When Aaron dies they complain again about the uncertainty of food in the wilderness (Numbers 21:5) and they are struck with a plague of poisonous snakes. Yet there is also change and growth. This new generation does something their parents never could, they take responsibility for their actions, apologize, and seek forgiveness “We sinned by speaking against יהוה and against you. Intercede with Adonai to take away the serpents from us!” (Numbers 21:7) Again, according to Rashi for this reason God ends the plague.
We can learn from this to adapt to life’s changes, no matter how difficult they may be. We can embrace life and continue to change and grow as long as we are alive.