Mattos-Massei - Be A Mensch

Mattos-Massei – Be a Mensch

Av 1/2, 5775  July 17/18, 2015

    In this week’s parsha/portion, Moses is leading the people into the Promised Land, and has to make some difficult decisions, and he does this my practicing his faith in G-D, and being an upright person. He makes promises and keeps his promises!!!!........ In Mattos-Massei, we learn a valuable lesson, that of keeping one’s word and how we should be a ‘Mensch’. This is to be an honorable, respectful, and reverent man/person (referred to a man, for example, “My son who helped the elderly lady with her groceries is such a ‘mensch’! It is taught by the ancient scholars, we should NOT take a hard line and extremely difficult vows and make promises about things that are out of our control, as NOT everything can be in OUR own control; a real mensch keeps his word and carefully and tactfully watches his word and actions.

   How to be a mensch is the question?  All of us should most definitely strive to be a MENSCH!  Oh, and there are times, we aren’t so ‘menschy’, as we as humans error, but through true belief, and a mind open to learning from our mishaps, G-D gives us chances so we may learn and educate and become……A Mensch!

In this parsha/portion, we learn about the journey from Egypt to Israel, and all 42 stops along the way.  WE, as people do not walk in a straight line, although it is the shortest distance that joins them. As humans, we take a step progressively forward, and at times, backwards.  We should never be discouraged, and we should continue our path of a spiritual and emotional walk, just as our forefathers fled from Egypt and took a few steps back here and there; they prevailed!  We see, even when Israel is within reach, it is not a state of perfection.  That’s okay, as there is a plan; Keep doing what you do, even when you scrape your knee, and strive to always be open to learning, and walk like that of a mensch!  We ALL fall short and must realize that as long as we keep trying with honest intent; our walk to honor-ability is very present.  G-d sees how we walk (baby steps at times), and always has a watchful eye.

     I am reminded of an old story about a head ranch hand up in North Dallas wearing a baseball cap, instead of his own cowboy hat.   A tourist is visiting the ranch, and asks, “Why a baseball cap, and not a Cowboy hat?”  His reply, “Because I don’t want people to think I am JUST any ranch hand!” Oy!   It is NOT the way you dress, it is not about the money you make and bills showing in your wallet, it is not always about what you say, but it is what you strive for and become that defines you! It is how we walk, and show true sincerity!   It is how we learn to become a better person!  MAY WE ALL STRIVE TO BECOME MENSCHEN!