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B'Shalach

02/08/2017 09:53:08 PM

Feb8

As Parshat B'shalach begins, we are told that God chooses not to take the Israelites on the shorter path to the Promised Land, through the land of the Philistines, but rather the round-about way in the wilderness and the Sea of Reeds. The Torah explains that if the Israelites were to take the shorter path than they would see war and they would want to return to Egypt. So instead they are led on a longer journey. And… it doesn’t seem to make a difference. The Israelites complain and bemoan the fact that they ever left Egypt in the first place. “Weren’t there enough graves in Egypt for us?” (Exodus 14:11) “If only we died in Egypt, with the taste of bread still in our mouth!” (Exodus 16:3) “Why did you take us out of Egypt to kill us with thirst?!” (Exodus 17:3). It wasn’t just war that made them want to turn back, but their lack of faith in sufficient provisions of food and water in the wilderness.
 
So what did God gain by making the Israelites take the long way around? The Rabbis answer that indeed the Israelites still wanted to return to Egypt even on the long way around, but imagine if they would have taken the shorter way (Mechilta). The Israelites would have wanted to go back even more! By taking them along the longer journey, it commits them towards a certain action, and with each step further along in that direction, it is less and less likely the Israelites will actually decide to turn back and return to Egypt.
 
In our everyday lives, we often look for shortcuts. We know that our time is money and we value getting things done quickly. But if we take the fast path, then we don’t give ourselves the time to build commitments and investments. However, if we allow ourselves to take the more arduous journey, then we allow ourselves to construct more enduring meanings. Yes, we still might complain, but with each step forward, we can feel proud that it is unlikely we backtrack.
 

 

Fri, March 29 2024 19 Adar II 5784