To cross the sea, as the Israelites do in this week’s Torah portion Beshelach, requires one person to take the first step. In rabbinic tradition that person becomes Nachshon, who, when sandwiched between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, takes a leap of faith into the raging waters. It is only at this point that Moses raises his staff and the sea parts.
To take any unclear path forward requires one person to take the first step. This happens at the buffet line of a big event, or after the invitation to ask questions after a lecture, or in countless other moments if day-to-day experience. We have a tendency to see these “first-at-the-liners” as selfish, but they are anything but. Like with Nachshon, their actions allows everyone else to benefit. They have, in Malcolm Gladwell’s words, a tolerance of zero, requiring no other action on anyone else’s part, to take action themselves.
Last year I had the honor and privilege of officiating at Harold Ruslander’s funeral. Harold was known as such an individual, always the first person to try a new restaurant or new product, and proud of it. As well he should be. By showing up at the beginning, he allowed others to follow his lead. It’s not, after all, only at the Red Sea that you need a Nachshon. People with tolerance level zero make everyone’s life a little easier. May Harold’s memory always be for a blessing.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 03/08/2019 by wpadm