Hard to believe it, but twenty years ago this July, I was accepted into rabbinical school. And, five years later, on June 6, 2004, I officially became a rabbi. The Torah portion the Shabbat of my ordination was the same portion we have this week, Shelach Lecha. The portion features the tale of the twelve spies sent to scout out the land of Canaan. It felt perfect for a graduation weekend and the new land I, and my classmates, would soon explore as rabbis.
There are two reports that come back from the spies: one negative and one positive. The first, from the majority of the group, tells of a land whose residents are so large and imposing, they felt like grasshoppers in their eyes. This is countered by the report of Joshua and Caleb who tell tales of a land flowing with milk and honey, whose grapes are so large that single bunch requires two people to carry it.
So, which is right? The answer is they both are. While the risk of moving forward is great, the reward for doing so is even greater. When facing a significant obstacle on our life path we could choose to focus on the size of the task that lies ahead or we could instead choose to picture the grapes that will be there for us when we complete it. In choosing between the grasshoppers or grapes, I always choose the grapes.
Standing with my classmates fourteen years ago, there was a mixture of fear and excitement. This was a new beginning for all of us. And, while the path forward has not always been easy, it has always been worthwhile. I am so blessed to be able to work every day in a profession I love, with a community I love even more.
This Shabbat I embark on another new part of my journey, that of “rabbi on sabbatical.” Over the two months, you may not see or hear a lot from me. I will not be there for most services and this will be my last Torah Thoughts until September. I will be busy resting and recharging, processing the many times I have felt like a grasshopper along the way, as well as the bunches and bunches of grapes I have eaten along the way. Thank you for supporting me in this effort and for being the caring and compassionate community that you are.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Alex
Last Updated on 09/05/2019 by Marc Slonim