A tourist named Todd came in for a visit and we put on tefillin. I asked him when the last time he had done the mitzvah. Like all people today, he looked on his phone and shared with me a picture of him next to another Rabbi Beny in Cabo, Mexico.
Rabbi Beny is a close friend of mine, and we sent him a picture of the great mitzvah. It is amazing how 3 Jews connect with a simple law years later. This incident just reminded me how Torah unites it’s people wherever we are.
When Moshe was speaking to G-d by the burning bush, the conversation seemed to be coming to an end. He asked G-d, what to tell the Jews when he meets them. After G-d answered him, Moshe then said, “The Jews just won’t believe that You sent me!”It sounds improper for Moshe to make such a claim about his own people, and the conversation begs for a deeper explanation.
In general, there are two wavelengths of human behavior: those that are more giving and free flowing, and those that are more rigid and structural based. You probably have heard a parent say, “It is just a kid. Let him,” or perhaps the opposite, “Stop it now. That is improper.” Both approaches are expressed based on our inner wiring.
Being that Moses’s natural inclination was a bit more severe and rigid. Therefore, he easily embraced the Torah, which is a way of connecting with G-d via practices based on laws and edicts. Moses’s concern was not about himself, but for the people. When he said, “They won’t believe in me.” He meant that the Jewish nation would not be able or want to accept the Torah, simply because they are laws.
G-d responded that rules and mitzvot are necessary. It is specifically through these details and instructions that the nation will connect with Me anywhere in the world. However, being that you have a good point. Therefore, G-d sent Aharon along with Moshe to speak to the people. Aron had a different temperament than Moshe. He was more inclined to being kind and loving, thus more approachable. Together they would be able to deliver the message in an accepting manner.
Todd fulfilled a rule and commandment because we approached him with a smile. We should approach all mitzvot in that manner. And then they will be easier to follow.
