Bamidbar - Perseverance, 2nd Chances, & Adaptability!

Bamidbar - Perseverance, 2nd Chances, & Adaptability!

June  10/11, 2016   Sivan 4/5, 5776

We see it daily; people just giving up, not making a second effort and trying to persevere!   In today's very competitive world, we need to shift our focus on the successes within our own lives and focus. 

 Look at sports - Lebron James and the Cavaliers lost the first 2 games of the NBA Finals just this past week, and...Bam, won the 3rd game in a commanding fashion. They went back to the drawing board, accessed, practiced and executed well to win!  Even if they did not win the game, they more than just showed up - they put in the sincere effort and perseverance!  

Hollywood and The Big Picture is the same - Morgan Freeman only acted in a few "B films" before landing a major role in Shawshank Redemption. He was already 57 when he landed that film, but his career skyrocketed from there with roles in Se7en, Kiss the Girls and Bruce Almighty!  He did NOT give up!

In life, both physically and spiritually, we as people must make second efforts, and take chances! When we take a deeper look at The Torah, the theme speaks for itself; our forefathers and matriarchs had to make second and even third efforts to remain or return to being a Jew and practice Judaism.  They once were slaves, some gave up hope and others searched for freedom and Israel while roaming for 40 years!  They persevered and took that '2nd' chance indeed.  

Bamidbar outlines over and over, how we are always given another chance.  This week's Parsha/Portion teaches us that the Torah was given to us with that of fire, with water, and within the desert.   This translates into persistence (water always flowing), pure passion (as in the fire always must not go out and burn brightly inside),and this can absolutely happen even in a place that is barren - like the desert.  We must be adaptable!  

Adaptability means we can't just learn Torah, study,and attend services (this pertains to ALL and EVERYONE) within an air conditioned building, or we can ONLY be in a certain atmosphere; we must be willing to step out of our own comfort zones, take 2nd chances and always continue to persevere!   See what is presented before you!

Remember, the Torah was given to us in the wilderness and it's teachings do not rely on walls and a certain territory or labeling.  Torah can not be limited to a certain time, to a definite place, and within a specific 'society' or sector!  We must adapt, and accept change,and challenges; not the Torah change.  This holds true in our daily lives too!