Weekly Mission: Parshat Chukat - 5770

Ever since the Jews left Egypt, they’ve always had something to complain about. The Jews incessantly hassled Moshe and Aaron, whining about different and often unreasonable issues. The pattern that the Jews paved was usually very similar to the preceding and proceeding complaints. The order usually was: The Jews complain to Moshe, Moshe falls on his face (prays), and then HaShem either threatens or takes action, and then the Jews repent or are granted the object of their complaint.

I think it is safe to say that HaShem supported the Jews while they were on their mission from Egypt up to Israel. He continuously spoiled us while we struggled through the desert. Even in times when we had little if any emunah (faith), HaShem still guided us like sheep. He never left us hanging.

While wandering through the desert, the Jewish people underappreciated the fact that HaShem took them out from Egypt and provided food and water while en route to the Promised Land. The Jews began to complain because there was no water. Moshe and Aaron went to seek out HaShem and HaShem then relays explicit instruction in order to grant the Jews their request.

“Take the staff and gather together the assembly, you and Aaron your brother; and you shall speak to the rock before their eyes and it shall give its waters…(20:8).”

Later on, the following happens:

“Then Moshe raised his arm and struck the rock with his staff twice; abundant water came forth (20:11).”

Though Moshe was commanded by HaShem to speak to the rock, the Torah tells us that he ultimately hits the rock. Consequently, Moshe loses the right to live or even step foot in the Holy Land of Israel because of the encounter with the rock. But how could such a minor event in the grand scheme of things, cause such detrimental consequences? Moshe’s entire life had been dedicated to reaching the Land of Israel!

According to Rashi, the simple reason for Moshe’s punishment is that, since he disobeyed HaShem’s order, that was enough to anger HaShem to revoke Moshe’s right to enter Israel. The RaMBaM offers a different explanation which I personally prefer: The RaMBaM quotes another passuk in the parsha:

“…And he said to them: “Listen now, rebels, shall we bring forth water for you from this rock?”(20:10)

The RaMBaM claims that the language which Moshe uses before he hits the rock shows us that Moshe addressed the Jews with words of anger. The RaMBaN states in his Igeret HaRaMBaN that one who is a victim of anger is subject to hell. Moshe led the Jews out of Egypt through the desert and to Israel. He received the Torah personally from G-d and saw G-d face to face. Moshe was on the highest level that any mortal can ever reach. But by succumbing to his “dark side” and expressing himself with anger, he left room for his yetzer hara to infiltrate.

Sefer Chareidim states that since our souls are straight from the Master of the Universe, our souls cannot tolerate anger. In some sense, one’s soul departs from them when they are angry. When one lets anger overpower one’s mind, in some sense, he/she is committing spiritual suicide. We have all heard the expression: “The bigger you are, the harder you fall.” Moshe was on such a high level that the smallest, seemingly most miniscule improper deed left Moshe a lot of room to falter. As a result, Moshe lost his right to enter the holiest place in human existence: Israel.

There is a famous story about a grandfather lying on his deathbed. The grandfather’s last request to his son was the following:

“When anger dominates your mind and your yetzer hara is thriving, wait until the next morning to act on your desires.” Months later, the grandfather’s son left on a long journey which potentially could’ve been for years. The man left his pregnant wife and went on a mission with the possibility of no return. Years later, the man comes back to his town and finds his wife embracing another man. The man’s anger flared up and he grabbed a dagger. Before he acted on his desire, he remembered his father’s dying wish. The next morning when he woke up, he discovered that his wife was just hugging their son.

HaShem is constantly planting missions on our paths. We frequently forget about the composure that we are constantly reminded to maintain. Whether one becomes angry at one’s mother, one’s car or a nation of people, anger is ultimately destructive and damaging. Due to anger, Moshe lost one of the most precious gifts that any Jew could ever attain in the physical realm --- a sense of
“home” that belonged to us since our Forefathers first stepped there.

This week I will try to: Guard my anger. I will remember the tests that HaShem is constantly throwing in my direction. I will internalize Moshe’s sin and consequence and I will recognize that my sins hold consequences in this world and the next. I will seek to maintain my calm composure even in difficult times.

“Hashem, may You rescue (our) my soul(s) from evil and my (our) lips from speaking deceit” (Tehillim).

Shabbat Shalom!

Edited by: Rachael B. Goldberg