This week, I took my kids camping. Pitching the tent, collecting firewood, roasting marshmallows as we sat around a campfire, trying to identify the constellations of the milky way. A great experience, but it got me thinking.
Where were we going? What was the point of sleeping on that hard floor? Wasn't there a better way to cook our dinner? Talk about leaving one's comfort zone! (Just ask Devorah). 😉
In the Torah of the week, we read how the Jews traveled in the desert. 42 times they set up camp, and journeyed on. Each of the forty-two stops is enumerated. Why? Why can't we simply say they left Egypt and (eventually) got to Israel?
The message is that it's not about the destination. It's about the journey, the experience, the movement. Leaving Egypt isn't a one-time deal, and then we are done. In Hebrew, Egypt is Mitzrayim (מצרים), which means limitations. Every day, we have the opportunity to leave and break-out of yesterday's limitations. Life throws obstacles and challenges at us. There are tight spots. It's when we journey on, and overcome those difficulties, that we find our true inner strength. One that we never knew we had.
When we approach life from this perspective, it's a game changer. The journey is the destination.
Please join us tonight for a special First Fridays Shabbat, as we bid a warm farewell to our dear friend Miriam Feuer, and wish her much success with her upcoming move. Come say a L'chaim in her honor. Miriam, you will be missed!
We will also be hosting a pair of rabbinical students for Shabbat, who will bring added energy to the Shabbat experience!
Inspirational service followed by a Deluxe Kiddush!
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Dovid Bush
ב"ה