Dear Friends,
Who likes to take on tough tasks all alone?
Yes, some of us may work totally better by ourselves, but I think that commonly, we like to have others with whom to share the effort. Digging up a garden, preparing a Passover Seder for a couple dozen (wouldn’t that be nice?), figuring out the finances for a company, or leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land.
Tough tasks are tough to undertake by one’s self. And, so, Moses thought. In this week’s Torah portion for the Shabbat of Passover (Exodus 33:12-34:26), Moses is back up on the mountain to receive a replacement set of commandments following his destroying the initial set with the Golden Calf, and he makes the following charge to God, “See. You say to me, ‘Lead this people forward,’ but You have not made known to me whom You will send with me.” (Ex. 33:12)
Clearly, Moses felt alone. The Golden Calf episode probably exacerbated that, as he had been sojourning atop Mt. Sinai with God when the people revolted, and Moses, alone was the one to halt the insurrection. He had been abandoned or even betrayed by the people, and he learned how leadership truly is a lonely occupation. Hence, in his return visit to the mountain top, he charges God to inform him who will go with him.
God’s answer may have been comforting, or may not have been. God responded, “I will go in the lead and will lighten your burden.” (Ex. 33:14) Surely, having God on one’s side was great news (hear the echo in “Hamilton,” when the refrain sings how nice it is to have Washington on one’s side.)
Yes, God may have been a perfect ally, but was God a perfect friend? Was Moses seeking support, or was Moses seeking companionship and personal warmth?
As we complete Passover, still amid the restrictions of the coronavirus, we can feel the complexity in Moses’ question. I write this D’Var Torah with our poodle on my lap – the dog craving attention as much as I appreciate his presence.
We need those who will go along with us – loved ones, friends, puppies – as undertaking the tough tasks of life, or even the simple ones, are better undertaken with others. Let’s hope that will be soon!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
Who likes to take on tough tasks all alone?
Yes, some of us may work totally better by ourselves, but I think that commonly, we like to have others with whom to share the effort. Digging up a garden, preparing a Passover Seder for a couple dozen (wouldn’t that be nice?), figuring out the finances for a company, or leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land.
Tough tasks are tough to undertake by one’s self. And, so, Moses thought. In this week’s Torah portion for the Shabbat of Passover (Exodus 33:12-34:26), Moses is back up on the mountain to receive a replacement set of commandments following his destroying the initial set with the Golden Calf, and he makes the following charge to God, “See. You say to me, ‘Lead this people forward,’ but You have not made known to me whom You will send with me.” (Ex. 33:12)
Clearly, Moses felt alone. The Golden Calf episode probably exacerbated that, as he had been sojourning atop Mt. Sinai with God when the people revolted, and Moses, alone was the one to halt the insurrection. He had been abandoned or even betrayed by the people, and he learned how leadership truly is a lonely occupation. Hence, in his return visit to the mountain top, he charges God to inform him who will go with him.
God’s answer may have been comforting, or may not have been. God responded, “I will go in the lead and will lighten your burden.” (Ex. 33:14) Surely, having God on one’s side was great news (hear the echo in “Hamilton,” when the refrain sings how nice it is to have Washington on one’s side.)
Yes, God may have been a perfect ally, but was God a perfect friend? Was Moses seeking support, or was Moses seeking companionship and personal warmth?
As we complete Passover, still amid the restrictions of the coronavirus, we can feel the complexity in Moses’ question. I write this D’Var Torah with our poodle on my lap – the dog craving attention as much as I appreciate his presence.
We need those who will go along with us – loved ones, friends, puppies – as undertaking the tough tasks of life, or even the simple ones, are better undertaken with others. Let’s hope that will be soon!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
