Miller's Musings Parshas Behaalosecho: A Blast From The Past

בס''ד

The concept of the Kohen Godol and the Menorah seem inextricably linked with Aharon given the task of its service for the first time in this week’s Parsha.  The Medrash tells us that the reason for the juxtaposition of the section of the Menorah and that pertaining to the offerings of the princes of each tribe, is that Aharon was disconsolate that neither he nor his tribe had participated in those tributes.  To console him, Hashem proclaimed that his lot was indeed far greater than theirs, for he will be the one who has the distinction of performing the ceremony with the Menorah each day.  All that remains is for us to understand what lesson there is for us to learn from what transpired.

Interestingly the contribution of the princes themselves, resulted from similar beginnings.  Having offered to provide whatever was lacking at the end of the gifts of the general populous, and finding out that there was in fact nothing lacking, the princes were rather perturbed by being unable to bring their own donations.  There too Hashem offered them a consolation, in this instance the offerings of the inauguration of the Mishkon.  What seems to become clear from these two cases is the opportunity of closeness to G-d that can result from some form of regret and heartache.  The outcome of the genuine disappointment of a missed chance to be part of some spiritual connection, by both Aharon and the princes of the tribes, was an opportunity for even greater transcendence. 

Our society seems to consider regret as something to be ashamed of.  One who can claim “I do not regret a thing”, considers themselves superior in some way.  They wear it as a badge of honour, when in truth it is only a badge of arrogance and conceit.  There are none amongst us who have not made errors of judgement, and to dismiss them so as not to lose face, is to miss an opportunity for further growth and for learning from our greatest teacher, the mistakes we have made.  We of course should not look for ways to enable regret and to dwell on them for too long, to the point that it stunts further development can be ruinous.  But once we have slipped, there is no shame in regretting our actions and there is great potential in understanding their root cause and absorbing its teachings.  As long as we do not let regret become a barrier, it can be the catalyst to our greatest accomplishments.  Don’t live in the past, but let it help define the future.

May this Shabbos pass with no need for regret and only memories of perfection. 

 

לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם