14 Jun COMPLAINING? ABOUT WHAT?

This Shabbos, we read the Parshas Beha’aloscha, which includes the episode of the misoninim, the complainers, a group that was not satisfied with the manna, but craved something more.

The manna was a gift from HaShem, “bread from Heaven”. It was ready for the taking each and every morning as the Jewish nation awoke in the desert. They didn’t even have to travel far to retrieve it. It was waiting for them right outside their tents. There was a layer of dew beneath it, and another layer above it, insuring that the manna would remain fresh.

One could wish that the manna taste like the food of their choice. It was the ultimate energy bar. A healthy diet. A complete source of nutrition, providing the Dor Midbar, the generation of the desert with the stamina needed as they continued their journey towards Eretz Yisroel. It was the perfect food, completely absorbed by the body, without any waste. Manna was truly HaShem’s miraculous creation.

Yet, the Torah tells us about the assasuf, those who complained, “….Who will feed us meat… we remember the fish we ate in Egypt”. (Bamidbar 11:4)

Unfortunately, incessant negativity spreads and influences the listeners. The complainers cried out in front of their tents, publicizing their resentment, thereby swaying and instigating others, bringing Moshe much heartache. Rashi explains that the assasuf were from the eirev rav, the Egyptians who linked up with the Jewish nation during the Exodus. Their complaining regarding a shortage of meat was a pretext for their real goal of freeing themselves from observing HaShem’s commandments. As Rashi says, they used the term “chinam”, free, to describe their life in Egypt – a life “free” of obligation to Torah and mitzvos.

“Ain chodosh tachas hashemesh – there is nothing new under the sun.” (Koheles 1:9)

Generations have passed, but nothing has changed. Like the generation of the desert, at times we don’t appreciate the kindness that HaShem bestows upon us.

It was my family’s good fortune to join my mother, the Rebbetzin a”h, when she lectured at various hotels during the Yomim Tovim. Invariably, there would always be amongst the guests some whiners. Be it the accommodations, the menu, or even one’s seating location in the dining room. For some, there was always something to kvetch about. At times, we are so busy looking for problems, that we completely overlook all the good that is right in front of our eyes.

In truth, these Yomim Tovim were amazing experiences. There was so much to be grateful for. We just have to allow ourselves to see the good around us. Families spending quality time together, meeting new people, being served delicious Yom Tov meals, daycare for the kids, or even just going for a walk outdoors, enjoying the trees, the flowers, the fresh air. And best of all, the enriching shiurim, lectures and divrei Torah that were always a key component of every Yom Tov.

We are Yehudim, Jews. Yehudim, from the name Yehudah given by our Matriarch Leah to her fourth son. Leah thanked HaShem for the gift of another child by declaring, “Hapa’am odeh es HaShem – this time let me gratefully praise HaShem”. (Bereishis 29:35).

Leah left us a legacy to be a nation of Yehudim. To know what it means to appreciate the good. To be a people that each day recites the berachah thanking HaShem “sheh’osoh li kol tzorchi – Who has provided me with all my needs”.

Yehudim – to live a life of gratitude. To wake up every morning with the words of Modeh Ani on our lips, thanking HaShem for yet another day.

Yehudim – to rise above petty grievances, and to be cognizant of HaShem’s kindness. We are nation that says Modim in the Amidah three times a day, thanking HaShem “for our lives and our souls that are entrusted to You, and for Your miracles that are with us every day”.

Yehudim – a nation that turns to the Tehillim for support and comfort. Psalms that say “Hodu L’HaShem Ki Tov, ki L’olam chasdo – give thanks to HaShem, for He is good, and for His kindness which endures forever”. (Tehillim 118:1)

Rav Yitzchok Hutner zt”l writes in Pachad Yitzchok that “hoda’ah”, gratitude, is a three-step process: Modeh, hodah and todah.

Modeh al ha’emes – to first acknowledge and realize the good.

Hoda’as baal din – to actually feel gratitude for all that Hashem does for us.

Todah – only then are we ready to say Thank You HaShem.

Mindfulness is a new buzz-word. Let’s try to be mindful of our world, its people, its abundant goodness. Of the daily miracle of life itself. Above all, to always remember the words of Dovid HaMelech, “Tov l’hodos l’HaShem – It is good to thank HaShem, l’hagid baboker chasdechah v’emunaschah baleylos – To proclaim Your kindness in the morning – And Your faithfulness in the night.” (Tehillim 92:2-3) Our rabbis teach that in this context, morning refers to the good times, while night refers to the difficult and challenging times that are inevitable in everyone’s life.

Parshas Beha’aloscha opens by telling us “Va’yaas kein Aharon – Aaron did so”. For thirty-nine years Aaron lit the menorah with the same excitement and fervor. The same devotion and dedication. Surely, Aaron too had his ups and downs, days that were better, and days that were challenging. Yet, he never fell to the level of being a misonein, a complainer. What a lesson this is for all of us.

Appreciating the good doesn’t mean ignoring or minimizing the difficult days and painful periods. As Yehudim, we lift our eyes Heavenward, and say “Thank You HaShem”. The Rebbetzin would say that we have to look at the world with “Torah glasses”. Glasses that open our eyes to a vision of gratitude. Glasses that come with the prescription of an ayin tovah, a good eye.

Being a Yehudi means seeing the blessing in our lives