Use a Bigger Hammer

Shabbat Shalom From Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow

June 30-July 1, 2017 / 7 Tammuz 5777

Shabbat Hukat

Torah Portion: Numbers 19:1 - 22:1 / Haftarah Portion: Judges 11:1 - 11:33

“Use a Bigger Hammer”

Dear Friends,

I grew up with the adage, “If it doesn’t work, use a bigger hammer”.  It was my family’s funny way of recognizing that in order to fix something, sometimes you have to force it.  But then I quickly learned that using extra force usually breaks it further – or worse, someone gets injured.  That’s the lesson Moses learned out in the desert thousands of years ago when the Children of Israel were thirsty and begging him for water.  God told him to speak to a rock and water would pour out.  For whatever reason, impatience or embarrassment, Moses took his staff and hit the rock hard, twice.  Water did flow, but God was not pleased by Moses’ lack of faith.  Speaking to the rock was all that was needed.  For this transgression, Moses is not permitted to enter the Promised Land.

There is a lesson here for all of us.  Real miracles happen when we use the correct amount of effort, read and follow the instructions, take precautions, and do it right.  Whatever the task, when we feel our temper flaring and our patience flagging, when we feel the need to push too hard or get the ‘bigger hammer’ (actually or figuratively) – that’s the time to pause and get some perspective. Before we break it further or do some real damage – get help, study up, find proper instructions, or call for experienced help.

Moses learned the hard way.  We can all learn from his experience.  Zay a Mentsch – Be a good person.

L’Shalom,

Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow