Keys to the Kingdom

Recently, we read of Moshe’s painful forfeiture of entering the Land of Israel. His failing? Commanded to speak to a rock and draw forth water, he became frustrated and struck it. The miracle occurred regardless; water gushed forth, quenching the thirst of hundreds of thousands. Still, Moshe was punished.

But why??? Talk to a rock/hit a rock; it was a ROCK THAT GAVE WATER!  Wasn’t that miracle enough?  But herein lies the rub: The Torah is not a history book but, rather, a blueprint and the lesson which the Torah portion wanted to impart was about growth.  And change.  And how we, as individuals and a nation, are required to reach higher each and every day.

Moshe’s challenge had always been speech. From childhood, he leaned on Aharon to serve as his voice. Now, leading a nation that clung to his every God-inspired word, he reverted to silence and frustration. His failure was not about the rock; it was about communication, responsibility, and unquestioning faith.

As we approach the New Year, we too are called to communicate – to express our hopes, prayers, and requests with open hearts. We long for kindness, forgiveness, and compassion from Heaven, but what do we have to offer? What spiritual growth or efforts can we present as collateral for blessing? How have we grown from the last Rosh HaShanah to this one?

We live in a time of extraordinary material comfort, especially in the Diaspora. But history warns us that prosperity often breeds arrogance and complacency. Comfort can erode connection with God, unless we temper it with humility. The solution is not to empty our coffers in dramatic fashion, making massive donations to our local pet shelter.  Rather, we are commanded to cultivate inner humility and make ourselves vessels for Divine abundance, creating prosperity that transcends bank accounts and assets.

Every person faces hardship, disappointment, or loss. Judaism offers a powerful tool to transform these moments: Nullification of ego. In our daily prayers we say, “Let my soul be like dust to everyone. Open my heart to Your Torah.” True blessing comes only when we sense something missing, when we recognize the need for growth.

What do we expect from Heaven that we do not demand of ourselves? If we ask for mercy, we must extend mercy. If we want God to overlook our failings, we must forgive the failings of others. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (z”l) taught, “God does not forgive human beings until human beings learn to forgive one another.”

Living in Israel during this pivotal moment in Jewish history is not for the faint-hearted.  Worrying about our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora who are enduring the fear and unprecedented expressions of Jew-hatred allows us to share in their suffering.  We recognize that they, too, share our destiny as we defend the God-given Jewish homeland with our bodies, spirits and weaponry.  Whether or not we live in Israel, the source of Jewish strength is, today and always, in unity.

Prophecy is unfolding in our days, but our role remains the same: Embrace humility, honor the Divine spark in others, and place gratitude front and center. By fostering this outlook, we can better prepare ourselves not just to enter a new year, but to be worthy of its blessings.

Shanah tovah tikatevu.  May you be inscribed for a good year!

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Reprinted with permission of San Diego Jewish Journal, September, 2025.