I love Parshat Balak. How can one not enjoy a moment of comic relief – and the tale of a talking donkey!? OK, I will date myself and admit that I did enjoy re-runs of Mr. Ed when I was growing up.
Yet, beyond the comedy there is much seriousness, and much we can learn. We learn that though we may be G-d’s Chosen People, we are not G-d’s only people. G-d speaks to others as well; G-d speaks with Billam. But that is a topic for another day.
Today, I want to take us to the cliff – the various spots from which Billam pauses and looks down upon the Israelites. But, before we take in Billam’s long distance image, let’s zoom in and take a ‘street view” of the action down below.
As we left last week’s Parshat Chukkat, we saw a community in transition. Miriam and Aaron had both died. The people had complained yet again – this time it was lack of water, yet perhaps bottled up was their frustration at the long walk between tents, poor housing conditions, and the lousy camp food. Moses lost his patience with the people –and with it, perhaps, he lost the people’s respect for him as a trusted leader.
We know that next week in Parshat Pinchas we will hear about the Israelite men cavorting with the Midianite women – we can only guess whether the two stories occurred simultaneously or sequentially. While there were likely areas of calm and happiness, all was “not well” in the trenches of the Israelite camp.
Now, switch your mental camera back to this week’s image – that of Billam standing on the cliff. Stand behind, or next to Billam and see what he sees. You are at such a distance that you cannot see the arguing, the complaining or the schmutz. Instead you see the beautiful colors of the Mishkan and the decorative flags of the tribes. You see thousands of tents orderly grouped by tribal communities. It is a majestic view that makes you forget about all that you just saw happening when you are in the midst of the crowd.
The beauty you see standing next to Billam takes your breath away. When you can exhale again, out comes a blessing for all that this group of people is and can be. That is something you might not have been able to say if you had been down below – in the midst of the day-to-day issues.
Think back for just a moment to the Book of Exodus and Parshat Ki Tissa. After the incident of the Golden Calf, Moses returned to the mountain top. As he communicated with G-d, he asked to see G-d. The Torah says that though Moses was not allowed to see G-d’s face, G-d did pass by him and Moses could see G-d’s back.
My friend and Jewish educator extraordinaire, Joel Grishaver, shared a slightly different translation with me that what Moses saw was not G-d’s back, but rather G-d’s “afterward.” G-d passed by, removing the cloud of G-d’s presence, and Moses could then look down and see the wholeness of the assembly of the Israelites. The beauty renewed him at a moment of total frustration and anger and allowed him to return to leading the Jewish people for many years to come.
We are told that we should be reflective practitioners; we should take moments to pause and look back at what we have done in an effort to improve upon it and ensure we are moving forward appropriately. I would add this… that besides reflecting upon what we have done day-to-day, as teachers, as professionals, and as leaders, sometimes we need to go up on the cliff to look from a distance, at the view that Billam had. We need to pause and see the beauty and growth of the whole we help to cultivate. We must stop and savor all that has been accomplished and has taken root. Then we can head back down into the trenches to continue to lead with renewed vigor, strength, and vision. We and the people we work for and with will be the better for it.
Prior to her position with the Grinspoon Foundation, Iris served as a synagogue educator in Syracuse NY, the Central New York PJ Library Program Coordinator and as a national consultant for PJ Library.
Iris holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood, Elementary, and Special Education, a master’s degree in Special Education and Reading, and Advanced Certification in School Leadership and Administration. Her experience as a secular educator and educational leader in congregational and community settings spans over 20 years. She is also a lay leader in Jewish organizations on the local and national levels. Iris served as the President of CAJE – the Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, which was the largest member organization for Jewish educators in the country.
- May My (and Your) Yom Kippur Be Filled Meaning - October 3, 2014
- We All Are Standing Here.. Now What Will You Do? - September 19, 2014
- ‘Tis the Season of Transitions - September 12, 2014