.gif)
Masay(Numbers 33-36)
Appreciating Our Challenges
This parsha recaps the journeys of the Jewish people in the desert. There is nothing we do not already know, and so Rashi, the preeminent Torah commentator, quotes a parable from the Oral Tradition to explain why the Torah is writing about the Jewish journeys:
A king took his very ill son on a long and arduous journey to the only doctor who may be able to cure him. He overcame many obstacles and challenges along the way, but finally reached the doctor who was able to cure his son.
Since the son had been delirious during the trip to the doctor, the king returned the same way that he had come, and at each point stopped to tell his son what had happened there: Here we rested; here we were cold; here you became ill, etc.
So too, in this week's parsha, God is reminiscing, so to speak with the Jewish people about the past 40 years in the desert. Just as each aspect of the king's journey was necessary to get the son to the doctor and bring about a healing, so too, whatever happened in the desert, for better or for worse, had molded the Jewish people into a nation that was ready to enter the Land of Israel and fulfill their destiny of becoming a light to all nations.
I think the point is as follows: Life is a journey. We will all face challenges in good measure. And when we are going through those difficult times, it can be hard to appreciate their importance and their value. We become caught up in the frustration of the moment and don't understand why the hardship is necessary. But with hindsight, everything always looks very different. While in the moment, it may be hard to see why something is necessary, looking back always brings great perspective.
It's never easy to understand why we need to go through certain experiences while we are going through them. But almost every time, when we look back after enough time, we can gain an understanding of their place and purpose.
Every now and then, it is worthwhile to think back at the journeys of our past few years and appreciate how everything has led us to where we have needed to go. God always has plans, and those plans are always good. When we look back into the journey of our past, we are able to see how those plans have developed, and feel an appreciation to God for having brought us to where we are today.
Talking from experience, the period before and after my first wife passed away from cancer was incredibly challenging, difficult and painful. But looking back over the years, while my children and I miss her immensely, we can nevertheless see that the experience has shaped who we are today, and in most ways it has shaped us all for the better.
Shaul Rosenblatt grew up in Liverpool. He studied for his smicha at Aish Hatorah in Jerusalem where he met his first wife Elana a"h who passed away in 2001 after a long struggle with cancer. They had four children together and Shaul has a further two with his second wife Chana, who he married in 2003. Shaul is the author of 
(4) Andy , August 1, 2008
evidence does not seem to support your premise
" But looking back over the years, while my children and I miss her immensely, we can nevertheless see that the experience has shaped who we are today, and in most ways it has shaped us all for the better."
there are some survivors who feel this way and many who do not. the mental health institutions are filled with many who do not as are the jails. countless abused people do not recover and abuse others. it seems to me that evidence is lacking to come to the conclusion that painful challenges are always or even usually for the best. that is something I think one needs to take on faith if one accepts it as true.
(3) Celoia Leal , July 27, 2008
Appreciating our Challenges
Rabbi Rosenblatt:
Thank you so much for your inspiring commentary. I have found myself thinking many times, for the past several years, about how events have had a special meaning according to God´s design. You made clear the connection of God´s inextricable ways or will and our enduring attitude facing challenges.
I believe it is easier, to a certain extent, to understand pain and wounds which may occur to us as individuals, although we may suffer, than to understand universal tragedies and natural disasters. I believe I need to come to terms with the prospect or idea of God´s letting our world and innocent people go through suffering.
Thank you so much for your views: they are an enlightening model for us to follow. Shalom!
(2) Yisraela , July 27, 2008
My life was very difficult from the beginning as there was much abuse. But I have found that I can be thankful for even this. I learned from an early age that HaShem is the One who sustains me, protects me, guards my soul, and taught me even in the womb. Though what was happening to me was horrendous, there developed this depth and love of HaShem. It is like finding a spring of water in the desert. Because of the darkness, I grew to know the importance of the Light and the Truth. And as an adult I know all that matters is HaShem and doing His will with love and devotion.
(1) Donald Dougan , July 27, 2008
Always appreciate these thoughts.
It is with great interest and always memorable for me to read what you have to comment on no matter how brief as it reminds me how important it is to recall both good and bad memories or things ion the past. This always seems to put things in perspective so nothing that happens today isn't usually a repeat of sorts and thus easier to tolerate and get over.
ThANK YOU ALWAYS FOR WHATEVER YOU SAY. dONALD