A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat

Shabbat Shlach 5757

23 Sivan, 5757

Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale

A glimpse at the narrative in the book of Numbers reveals an almost parallel pattern of events to that which occurred to the Jews after leaving Egypt.

In Numbers, the Jews began to murmur that they did not have meat to eat. (Numbers 11:4) This corresponds to the longing of the Jews "for the fleshpots" in Egypt, (Exodus 16:3) resulting in the giving of the manna.

Also, the Numbers narrative states that after the Jews complained they lacked water, Moses hit instead of spoke to the rock--and water came forth. (Numbers 20:2,3,8,11) So in the Exodus story, did Moses hit the rock after the Jews militated for water. (Exodus 17:2,6)

And the Numbers narrative includes several challenges the Jews faced from nations like Edom, (Numbers 20: 14-21) much like the battle the Jews fought with Amalek after they departed Egypt. (Exodus 17:8-16)

Finally, the story of the spies which highlights this week's portion is viewed as an episode revealing the Jews lack of faith in God. (Numbers 13,14) This, of course, is similar to the Golden Calf story which on its face describes the Jews lack of faith. (Exodus 32,33)

So similar are the stories that the Bekhor Shor (a medieval French commentator) insists that the water stories are one and the same. The latter is a more detailed account of the former.

But a closer look reveals an interesting pattern. In each of the narratives repeated in Numbers, the consequences escalate in their seriousness.

Unlike the manna story, the request for meat in the book of Numbers resulted in the Lord "smit[ing] the people with a very great plague." (Numbers 11:33) And while Amalek was defeated with no mention of Jewish losses, many Jews died as they were forced to go around the land of Edom. (Numbers 21:4,6) Additionally, as a result of Moses hitting the rock in the book of Numbers he is not allowed to enter Israel. (Numbers 20:12) Finally, after the spy incident--not after the episode of the Golden Calf--God decrees that the generation that left Egypt must die in the desert. (Numbers 14:29)

Why are the consequences greater here ? First, the events in the book of Exodus occur either prior to Sinai or in the case of the Golden Calf, according to Rashi, prior to the construction of the sanctuary. With the Sinaitic teachings and the Tabernacle construction in place the Jews should have known better than to falter again.

Second, to err once is forgiveable.The same transgression committed again deserves to be treated much more harshly.

So the patterns of the narratives may be similar, but the message is clear: after having fallen once, recognize that one is given just so many chances.

Perhaps this helps explain why the second liberation of Israel in the time of Ezra lasted, according to Maimonides, eternally. It's one thing to succeed the first time around--after all, beginnings are often accompanied by excitement and exhilaration. But if one is able to succeed after failing, if one is able to succeed after one's dream has been shattered, such a success is not easily voided as it shows a greater resilience and commitment.

Such is the power of second times. it cuts both ways. If you make the same mistake a second time you are more severely punished. But if you succeed after failing once you are more powerfully rewarded, the results are more sustained--in the case of the liberation of Israel it lasts eternally.

SHABBAT SHALOM

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