Rabbi's Corner

In this week's parashah, Parashat Chukat, we read the following: "Take the staff, and gather together the assembly, you and Aharon your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, so that it shall give forth its waters."  Once again the B'nei Yisrael are complaining vociferously, this time that they have no water.  Miryam, sister of Moshe and Aharon, has died and the well of "Mayim Chayim" ("Living Water") has ceased to produce the life sustaining liquid that has kept them alive all the years of their wandering in the desert.  So HaShem commands Moshe to speak to the rock to bring forth water for the B'nei Yisrael.  It is interesting to note that this is the very same rock that Moshe had previously been commanded to strike to bring about the same result.  Why the difference in methods to produce the same result?

There are two distinct methods by which a person can obtain a desired result in this world.  The first is by strength.  People often use their physical strength, voice, or facial expressions to compel others to do their bidding.  In fact, more often than not, the more forceful the exertion of such strength, the quicker others listen and fulfill the desired "request."  The second way to obtain a desired result is through the use of wisdom.  It is through the exercising of wisdom that the one making the request is compelled to think of creative ways to favorably influence others to do their bidding.  It is this use of wisdom, not strength, that separates man from animals.  Animals operate by instinct and patterned behavior to get what they want.  Human beings have the ability given to them by HaShem to exercise wisdom and judgment to reach their desired goals.

The first time that the B'nei Yisrael received water from the rock, Moshe had been told to strike it, and strike it he did.  This occurred at the beginning of the desert wanderings.  But after 40 years of wandering in the desert and as preparation for their entering into the Promised Land, the B'nei Yisrael needed to be shown that the more intelligent way of achieving their desires is to use wisdom - not strength.  Shlomo HaMelekh (King Solomon) said: "...wisdom is better than might." (Kohelet 9:16)