Dvar Torah

In this month’s parshiyot there are many potential heroes. The month begins with Bo, where Moshe seems to emerge as the hero of Yetziat Mitzraim (the Exodus from Egypt). The following week we read the story of the splitting of the Red Sea. It is there that we learn who the true heroes of the story are. The midrash tells us that it is actually by the merit of women that we were taken out of Egypt. While the men went around gathering all that was necessary for the journey into the desert, the women brought musical instruments. After Moses’ song at the sea, the women took out their instruments. They sang praises to God, led by Miriam. Their courage showed a greater faith in God, knowing that God would provide for all their needs in the desert. Still later, the well in the desert accompanies the Children of Israel on Miriam’s merit.

After this, we have Parashat Yitro, where the Ten Commandments are given. One may ask, with all this colourful light show of parshiyot, how can we end on such a seemingly boring note with Parashat Mishpatim, as our concluding parashah this month? Yet, in the entire portion one can find many heroes.

ECRUSY’s (the Eastern Canada USY region) Fall Kinnus theme was "superheroes," and one session was about the USYers’ heroes. After returning, my little sister told me about her group. Most people did not choose the Hollywood type hero; rather they resorted to normal people like parents and other family members. This is true of the follow through of the parshiyot from Yitro’s Ten Commandments to Ve’Eleh Mishpatim, literally "And These are the Laws." Of course Mishpatim seems boring; life can be like that sometimes. We are flawed beings, yet we are supposed to make the most of our lives and do what we can to strive to be closer to God by fulfilling mitzvot (commandments). This is what Mishpatim is all about. This is what life is about -- getting closer to God. By doing this, we, the "ordinary people," can truly become heroes.

There are some people who believe miracles don’t happen anymore. This is a very depressing view of the world to me. Just like the everyday heroes admired by those USYers, they only appear as mundane because they are part of every day life. To me, the difference between nature and a miracle is that nature occurs with such regularity that we forget it’s a miracle. This month we’ll celebrate Tu B’Shevat (the 15^th of Shevat, the New Year for Trees). Just like Mishpatim, it does not seem extraordinary, because of its regularity.

I live in Canada. When I see that first bud, after a long winter when the trees look so dead I think they will never rise again, I see that nature is the most miraculous thing. However, we see it on a regular basis. I’m studying in Ottawa now, but I was in Montréal in 1998 for the ice storm and I remember the summer after such devastation. One could only see the damage if one looked directly at the tree. From the street, all the trees seemed very full and lofty, just like any other summer.

In closing, heroes are not those who are already in the spotlight, doing something because the camera is rolling. A hero is a normal person who overcomes the odds and still triumphantly pushes past obstacles. Very little thought is actually involved. We have this potential. It is up to each and every one of us to actualize it.