Bechukotai(Leviticus 26:3-27:34)

Gambling on the game of life

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS?

Today it is almost impossible to buy anything without an instruction book. Sometimes though, the instructions are so long - and the possible danger so remote - that trial and error seems more reasonable than reading the manual. Then again, there are some things that pose such catastrophic threats that it would be insane for a person to attempt usage without study.

The general rule is: The more sophisticated the object, the greater the consequences - and the greater the need to understand the instructions.

For example, cars are more complicated than bicycles, and so their instructions are more important to understand. Jumbo jets are even more sophisticated, and potentially more dangerous - so they come with a whole library of instructions. How would you feel if you heard the captain asking his co-pilot to look in the manual and find where the switch for lowering the landing gear is located? The consequences of not reading the instruction book for a 747 can be deadly.

THE MANUAL FOR LIFE

If we require someone to attend driving school before he is allowed to drive, and flying school before he is allowed to fly, why don't we require every human being to attend a "school of life?" Incredibly, our approach to life is "learn as you go, experience will teach you." We all recognize that for driving or flying this would be a sure recipe for disaster! Should we therefore be surprised when such a philosophy applied to life produces crash landings and head-on collisions?

In fact, life is infinitely more complicated than even a jumbo jet. There are a myriad of life choices that confront us: choosing a career, finding a spouse, raising children, etc. Living is far from simple. Is there any doubt that life's voyage, without an instruction book, will leave us pained and scarred? Is there any doubt that this lack of understanding causes so much of the anxiety and heartache we all experience? Is there any doubt that without an instruction book, we are unlikely to stave off life's many mishaps?

LIFE INSURANCE IS NOT AN INSURED LIFE

Bicycles, cars, planes and ships can be insured, even replaced. Unfortunately, however, there is no company where you can file a claim for the various pains of growing, depression or loneliness.

Life comes with no guarantees. There is no office to which we can complain; no fund from which to claim back misspent years. We cannot plead ignorance of life's rules. Not knowing the rules will not stop the problems life brings. If we are going to live right, we had best be prepared. We need to know the rules before we play the game.

THE LIFE MANUAL

This week's Parsha contains news, which can be "good news" or "bad news" depending on whether one observes the Torah or not. Interestingly, there are only nine verses of good news (26:4-12) and 23 verses describing the bad news (26:16-38). Why aren't they equal?

The answer is that in life, more can go wrong than can go right. In the real world, there are far more disastrous scenarios than successful ones.

That's why God - the Creator of this scenario we call "life" - gave the Jewish People the Torah, our "all-purpose instruction manual for living." The Torah shows the seriousness of life by listing more bad than good scenarios. Taking life seriously means appreciating that without the proper precautions, greater is the possibility of suffering than the possibility of peace and happiness.

Life comes with no guarantees. Be sure to read the instructions before you assemble the parts!

IGNORANCE IS NOT AN OPTION

Warriors win battles when they realize losing is not an option. Wise people are the warriors of life. They realize life lived without understanding is simply not an option. Life without understanding causes too many casualties. And without knowing the rules, chances are you certainly won't end up winning.

If losing in life is not an option, then ignorance of life's rules is certainly not an option.

A wise gambler does not bet on a horse when he can't afford to lose. Living life "hoping it will all work out" is a gamble we really cannot afford to lose. This is as true for us as it is for our children. With the proliferation of drugs, crime, depression and delinquency, gambling with our children's lives is only for those who feel very lucky. When we look at the odds, we should spend considerable time understanding the instruction book of life.

Life without understanding is a gamble no one can afford to lose. You wouldn't let your children fly without lessons, don't let them go out into the world without lessons.

Brainstorming Questions to Ponder

1. A new school opens in town that teaches life lessons alongside geography. Will you send your kids?

2. What is the most important lesson you know about life?

3. What piece of advice would you give your teenage daughter about dating? Your teenage son?

4. If you were giving your 22-year-old child advice on choosing a spouse, what is the one thing you would tell him or her?

5. Do you think your children would be better people if they believed in God, or is it basically irrelevant?

6. If you could go back in time and tell yourself some key advice you'd need in the future, do you necessarily think you would listen?