TORAH PORTION

INTERIORS

FAMILY 01110E0 RHO OPERATED
FOR OVER 30 ?ERRS

WOOD FLOORS

Be Like Nachshon!

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

his belief in the efficacy of prayer,
n 1991, the sports drink compa-
but also shows that he understands
iiy Gatorade launched a multi-
the primary necessity for action. It
million dollar advertising cam-
paign featuring basketball superstar was only when Nachshon acted out
of faith that God divided the walls of
Michael Jordan. The ad's slogan was
the sea for the rest of the nation to
"Be Like Mike." -
cross to safety.
Try as I might, I was never able to
For his courage to take action and
take off from the free throw line
be the first one to cross the
headed for the basket, with
raging sea, Judah,
my legs, arms and tongue
Nachshon's tribe, was great-
extended, to then complete
ly rewarded throughout
a perfect ballerina-like
Jewish history, obtaining
slam dunk in mid-air. I am
royal dominion in Israel.
sure I was not the only one
In life, it is much simpler
unable to fulfill this "Be
to
be a follower. It takes less
Like Mike" charge.
courage
to wait until some-
In Judaism, we have our
its
one
else
has taken that first
own paradigm to emulate,
step
to
determine
the out-
Ra
bbi
and it is more attainable
come.
It
is
the
one
who has
Miller
Jason
than trying to be like
faith
and
is
willing
to take
to
the
Special
Michael Jordan. In this
Jewish News risks who is truly emulating
week's Torah portion, we
Nachshon.
see our ancestors cross the
It is common today in Israel to
Sea of Reeds in the exodus from
hear the adjective nachshoni,
Egyptian slavery. As the fleeing
describing one who is acting with
nation is cornered into a difficult
great faith and conviction and is not
decision on the shores of the sea
afraid of initiating. While being the
before it is divided, a significant
pioneer is often risky and requires
moment of faith in God takes place.
great faith, it is a virtuous character-
Our ancestors are trapped between
istic. So, while trying to be like
the waters of the sea and the pursu-
Michael Jordan is an unattainable
ing Egyptian army.
fantasy for most of us, we do have
A midrash has Moses standing
the potential to be like Nachshon
and praying during this pivotal
ben Aminaday. He took the leap of
instant; the Holy One chastises him,
faith that changed the destiny of our
"My beloved are on the verge of
people. Be like Nachshon! TI
drowning in the sea, and you spin
out lengthy prayers before Me?"
Moses was uncertain what his action Rabbi Jason Miller is associate director
of the University of Michigan Hillel
should have been at this time. God
explains, "Speak unto the Children of Foundation in Ann Arbor. He is a con-
sultant to Congregation Belt Kodesh in
Israel and tell them to go forward!'
It was at this point, Rabbi Yehudah Livonia and. director of the SYNergy pro-
gram at Adat Shalom Synagogue in
explains to Rabbi Meir (Tractate
Farmington Hills.
Sotah 37a), that the leader of the
tribe of Judah, Nachshon ben
Aminadav, leaped forward and
descended into the sea first.
Conversations
Nachshon had faith in God. He had
Have there been times you have
the courage and conviction to act
followed the example of
first.
Nachshon? Are there times
Our tradition teaches that once
when it would not be prudent or
Nachshon entered the sea and the
safe to act like Nachshon?
water was up to his neck, he began
to pray to God. This demonstrates

Expertly Installed

u Quality Refinishing
u Exotic Species

Extensive Selection of:
Carpet • Area Rugs
Marble • Ceramic
Laminate • Vinyl

3022 Orchard Lake Rd.
Keego Harbor

I

Golnick Pediatric

Dental Associates

Jason M. Golnick DDS, MS

Arnold L. Golnick DDS, MS

Michelle Tiberia DDS, MS

The Pediatricians of Dentistry

Golnick Pediatric Dental Associates treat the
dental needs of infants, children, adolescents.

BAR1BAT
MITRIIIII
SPECIAL

FREE

CLEANING*

*Within 2 weeks
of your child's
B'nai Mitlyah

• Positive and friendly staff
• Emergencies seen promptly
• Most insurances accepted
• Nitrous oxide and
sedation available
• Open daily

Lakes Medical Center
2300 Haggerty Road Suite 4180

February 9 • 2006

27