“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”-Monty Python A D’var Torah on Parshat Behalotcha

This weeks parsha makes note of Bnei Yisrael once again complaining in the wilderness and GOD becoming angry with them for doing so (Bamidbar 11:1).  Rav Yissocher Frand, in the name of the Ramban, (see http://www.torah.org/learning/ravfrand/5774/behaaloscha.html ) makes note of the fact that the language the Torah uses to describe the nature of Bnei Yisrael’s  complaining is kemitoninim (like they complained) as opposed to mitonenim  (they complained). The Ramban explains that the reason the Torah uses this language of how it was like Bnei Yisrael complained instead of  they complained to connote how Bnei Yisrael complained out of feeling in pain. This type of complaining ,explains the Ramban,is a normal type of pain which people experience and is therefore, somewhat legitimate. However, asks the Ramban if Bnei Yisrael’s complaints had some level of legitimacy than why did HASHEM get angry with them for doing so?  The answer, says the Ramban,is that although Bnei Yisrael had a legitimate reason to complain,overall HASHEM provided them with an abundant level of kindness which they should have been more focused on  instead of the little they had to complain about.

Although there are many moments in life were we feel the going gets tough we must remember the tremendous blessing and kindness that GOD provides for us every day. This optimistic attitude will GOD willing help us live as better Jews in our own community and deal with the greater world at large.

May Moschiach come soon! Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes-Gidon Herschander