Spring Into... www.mufflersandmore.net Kenny "the Car Guy" Walters, owns t e award-winning auto shop Email Kenny the Car Guy at Kenny@mufllersandmore.net Mufflers and More at 490 N. Pontiac Trail in Walled Lake 248.668.1200 For years, Mufflers and More has provided neighbors with HONEST, DEPENDABLE, QUALITY information, repair and service! They live here and it shows! SERVICE DISCOUNT (labor only) Jeff and Lori Lasday in Petra, Jordan Parshat Matot: Numbers 30:2-32:42; Jeremiah 1:1-2:3. R ecently I had the opportunity to cross over to the other side. It happened last month when I joined the tour group that my wife was leading in Israel. One moment we were in Israel and the next moment we had crossed the border into Jordan. We were on our way to explore the remains of Petra, an ancient city that was carved into the rock face of steep cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. From the Jordanian port city of Aqaba we boarded our bus for the two-hour drive. We drove due north, through winding moun- tain ranges, alongside Israel's eastern border, which was now to our west. From high up we were able to look down into Israel. It was hard not to imagine what it must have been like for the Israelites to look down into the Promised Land from our vantage. In fact, along the way we could see the glimmer of a dome in the distance that traditionally marks the spot where Aaron is buried, over-looking the Land of Israel, but not quite there. What must the Israelites have been thinking? In this week's parshah, Matot, we find out. The parshah describes that, while the time is almost at hand for the Israelites to cross over into Israel, two of the tribes balk at entering the land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to stay on the east side of the Jordan River, which they feel will be a better place to feed and grow their cattle. Moses angrily rebukes them for their disloyalty and shirking their responsi- bilities. As part of a negotiation, Reuben and Gad reassure Moses that they will help conquer the Land of Israel, and only after the land is won would they then return to their lands east of the Jordan. With this promise Moses relents to their request. Nehama Leibowitz understands this story as an example of a classic "dilem- ma between the choice of a career — personal advancement — or the fulfil- ment of a mission:' On the one hand, stood men whose interests lie in the material possessions of their cattle and their wealth, while on the other hand, stood a man who for more than 40 years had never forgotten his Divine-driven mission, his charge from God to bring the people into the land. Reuben and Gad pres- ent their case in terms of a material quid pro quo; they will help in the conquering of the rest of Israel and in exchange they will receive the land that they desired. Moses presents his arguments in terms of relationship to God. It is God alone who will drive out the enemy and divide up the land. Often we start out on our daily life journeys with a mission, a higher goal in mind, but become distracted along the way. We mean well, but the chal- lenge is too difficult or the journey too long. The immediate material reward becomes more attractive than the spir- itual or higher level goal. We detour from our original plan. It's an interesting experience cross- ing over to the other side, as long as you can find your way back home. ❑ Jeffrey Lasday is director of Federation's Alliance for Jewish Education in Bloomfield Township. Conversations • What do you do to help your- self stay on mission? • Is your job a career or a mission? • If you were God, would you have let Gad and Reuben (and half of Menasha) stay on the other side of the Jordan? i t FRIERS $1 0 OFF $50 a n MUFFLERS E $20 OFF $100 :j:1 $30 OFF $250 or more lc I : Full Service Auto Re .ir & Maintenance I Full Service Auto Re air & Maintenance 9 0 , .9. - W Reservation 248-288-0220 due ve- ntt taste of northern Italy 220 South Main Street,Clawson, MI Just South of I4 Mile Road Ask your server about our free appetizer from selections specially chosen for Jewish News readers!* as featured in HOUR Detroit magazine just minutes from Birmingham, Bloomfield, F; Royal Oak, Troy & Rochester *With purchase of 2 entrees. Please present this ad to server when seated to receive offer. I QUALITY KOSHER catering Vl 248-352-7758 WWW.OUALITYKOSHER.COM 30931 7 Mile Rd, Livonia For Sale or Lease. Located on 7 Mile btwn Middlebelt and Merriman Rds. Great visibility & exposure! Ideal for physician, dental or other medical use. Call (561) 213-9400 July 17 • 2014 43