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The Shortest Way:
Not Always The Best

Shabbat Beshalach: Exodus 13:17-17:16;
Judges 4:4-5:31.

JOHN HARDY.

I

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Orchard Mall V Orchard Lake Road at Maple Road v West Bloomfield, MI 48322
(810) 932-7700 v 1-800-337-GIFT

COLORUJORKS STUDIO OF INTERIOR DESIGN

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32506 Northwestern Highway • Farmington Hills, MI • (810) 851-7540

his week's sedrah begins who were born here, to whom lib-
with the description of the erty had come without a strug-
route of departure of the gle. A convert to Judaism is
Hebrew people after their sometimes a better Jew than
liberation from Egyptian many who were born Jews, but
who care little and know less
bondage.
When Pharaoh finally let the about their heritage.
It is not always advantageous
people go, they were free to move
forward to the promised land, the to take the easy way. It is not the
land that had been covenanted path of least resistance but the
to them by the Almighty. The sto- acceptance of challenge that
ry then continues with this ac- brings out the best in people.
None of us can swiftly, briefly
count: "Now when Pharaoh let
the people go, God did not lead and effortlessly reach his land of
them by the way of the promise.
We live in a civilization ob-
Philistines, although it was near.
But instead, God led the people sessed with time. We seek rapid
round about, by way of the solutions to all problems, diffi-
wilderness by the Red Sea," (Ex- culties and dilemmas. We are
captivated by labor-sav-
odus 13:17).
ing devices, push-button
Why did God choose to
automation and comput-
lead the Israelites the
erized programming. But
long way round to the
the Torah advises us that
promised land rather
to attain life's fullness
than taking the shorter
takes both wisdom and
and most direct route?
maturity. And both of
The rabbis of the
these require time. As the
Midrash answered this
Midrash points out, be-
question in the form of a
RABBI
fore one can appreciate or
parable.
"This case," they say, IRWIN GRONER properly use the mature
"can be compared to a SPECIAL TO THE values of life, one must be
JEWISH NEWS
prepared mentally and
king who had a son to
emotionally to assume
whom he wished to be-
queath an inheritance. But he ar- the obligations that go with them.
All who enter marriage seek
gued: 'HI give it to him now when
he is uninformed, he will not the fulfillment that a happy mar-
know how to take care of it. I will, riage makes possible. There was
therefore, wait until my son a time when young people were
learns how to read and write and warned that if they married in
can understand the value of prop- haste, they would repent in
erty. Then I will bequeath it to leisure. This is no longer true, for
him.' And so this is what God we no longer repent in leisure; we
said: UT bring Israel into the land repent in haste. A successful
now, before they have occupied marriage requires time and tol-
themselves with My command- erance in which partners can at-
ments, they will not know the tain that understanding and
meaning of their obligations. No, harmony which never comes
I better given them the Torah quickly. Love may come sudden-
first and then bring them into the ly, but happiness in marriage is
land,' " (Midrash Rabbah-Exo- built by communication, under-
standing and trust.
dus).
Our children should be taught
The rabbis had keen insight
into human nature. The shortest this truth. Young people need a
way is not always the best way. mature understanding of the
That which is quickly and easily obligations of life and of the re-
obtained has little value. A gam- sponsibilities of adulthood before
bler will lose money at the throw entering into intimate relation-
of the dice, shrug and say, "Easy ships which only mature adults
come, easy go." If one can enter a can safely handle. This takes
store and buy whatever he wants time — time to allow for the de-
without concern for the cost, he velopment of emotional and
will have less appreciation for moral as well as physical activi-
what he acquires than the indi- ty.
Love for Judaism is not ac-
vidual who has to work hard for
what he owns. The immigrant quired instantly. It is developed
who came to America from the by regular devotion, faithful par-
shtetl had better appreciation for ticipation and daily affirmation.
American freedom than those Thus, the Bible us that the
words of faith should be in our
Irwin Groner is rabbi of
hearts and in our thoughts —
Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
"When you walk by the way,