Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This Shabbat, we conclude the fourth book of the Torah with the portion of Masei. As the Israelites stand at the threshold of the Promised Land, they are commanded to reflect on the forty-two encampments they have come to during their forty years of wandering in the wilderness.

In his commentary, Rashi explains that the list of encampments emphasizes God's compassion. Notwithstanding the decree that they wander in the desert for forty years, the people enjoyed extended periods of rest. The first fourteen encampments took place before the mission of the spies. The last eight encampments were in the fortieth year. Thus, during the thirty-eight intervening years, there were only twenty journeys.

It is worth reflecting on the journeys of our lives from multiple perspectives: geographical, educational, professional, familial, ideological, etc. Hopefully for all of us, the majority of our journeys have been positive and productive, with a minimum of hardships along the way.

This week, I officiated at the funeral of a Holocaust survivor. In many such instances, I marvel at how survivors, who experienced horrors beyond our imaginations, were able to pick themselves up, start a new life in a different part of the world, learn a new language and career, and succeed in finding love, building a family, and experience success and purpose in their lives. 

As we continue to journey in our lives, may we continue to be enriched by new experiences and opportunities for growth on a variety of levels.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison