Words From Rabbi White

First of all, in the name of Chevra Shaas, mazal tov to Edmond Elbaz for his many years of dedication and leadership at the Synagogue.

My first full time job was at the State University of NY, where I was Asst. Prof. of Hebrew. I distinctly remember the following story:

After the first semester, a young lady from one of my classes came into my office, to discuss her mark. She had passed the course with a decent grade, but she felt that her grade should have been higher. I tried to explain how my grading system was very fair, yet she was adamant in her demands, and threatened to report to the Dean how unfair I was. I told her that I don’t mind if she reports me, and I would be confident that the Dean would agree with my grading system.

Nevertheless, as a young rookie professor, I found the experience to be upsetting, particularly as this was a student whom I had gone out of my way to help during the semester. So I discussed the situation with my friend and colleague, a seasoned 37-year-old tenured Professor.  He told me: “Menachem, you have to remember the first rule of teaching and of life: it’s not ‘what have you done for me,’ but what have you done for me lately.’”

I am often reminded of that incident when we come to this week’s parasha. Only 1 year had passed since the Exodus from Egypt. The people certainly remembered the 10 plagues that HaShem had brought down upon the Egyptians; the miraculous splitting of the Yam Suf; the manna upon which they were able to subsist; the receiving of the 10 Commandments; the sweetening of the water at Marah; the building of the Tabernacle, and, in this week’s parasha, the lighting of the menorah. All of these wondrous events were from HaShem, under the leadership of Moses.

And yet: as we read the 6th aliya of this week’s parasha, the people are complaining at Taveirah; and then again at Qivrot HaTa’avah. It’s too much for Moshe: Moshe must have been thinking to himself of all that he had done for the people, and now they are just complaining and complaining. It’s not what you have done for me, it’s what you have done for me lately!

Moshe tells HaShem he can’t take it anymore; until HaShem appoints 70 people who would be able to assist Moshe.  

An interesting insight into human behaviour?

Shabbat shalom