When we first sent our son Yisroel to learn in the Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia, we had to get used to driving from home to Logan Airport and back. After the first time successfully getting to the airport I got lost coming back. I saw a convenience store and went in to ask for directions. As soon as I said that I needed directions, the man behind the counter immediately opened a drawer and pulled out a handwritten map of the area! He showed me how to get home, and gave me the map. It was clear that I was not the first person to stop here and do this. What impressed me most was how prepared this person was to help people.
I gleaned a new insight into this episode from this week’s Parsha.
Korach led a rebellion challenging the authority of Moshe that ended with a miracle.
וַתִּפְתַּח הָאָרֶץ אֶת־פִּיהָ וַתִּבְלַע אֹתָם וְאֶת־בָּתֵּיהֶם וְאֵת כָּל־הָאָדָם אֲשֶׁר לְקֹרַח וְאֵת כָּל־הָרֲכוּשׁ׃
And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all Korach’s people and all their possessions. (16:32)
Pirkei Avos (Chapters of our Fathers), Chapter 5 Mishna 6 states:
עֲשָׂרָה דְבָרִים נִבְרְאוּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת בֵּין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת, וְאֵלּוּ הֵן, פִּי הָאָרֶץ….
Ten things were created on the eve of the Sabbath at twilight, and these are: the mouth of the earth, etc.
What do we learn from the fact that the mouth of the earth that swallowed up Korach was already created during the Six days of creation?
Meorah Shel Torah answers that when people find themselves in difficult situations it may seem to them that there is no solution. One should realize that the Almighty has already prepared the solution. It needs to be uncovered through an intense combination of prayer, mitzvos, and efforts to resolve the situation.
This is what took place in this week’s parsha. As Moshe found himself in a very difficult situation with Korach, the end of the rebellion had already been prepared.
This gave me a new insight into my little episode trying to get home from Logan. I was lost, but the solution was already waiting for me in the drawer of that store.
This should help us realize how everything that happens to us in life is part of the Almighty’s elaborate plan designed for our benefit. Let’s remember that we are never helpless and to always have hope that Hashem will guide us to uncover the solution to our challenges. This is the meaning of what we say in the blessing of Modim in Shemoneh Esrei (the Amidah):
הַטּוב כִּי לא כָלוּ רַחֲמֶיךָ. וְהַמְרַחֵם כִּי לא תַמּוּ חֲסָדֶיךָ. מֵעולָם קִוִּינוּ לָךְ
You are good, for Your mercies never fail us, and the Compassionate One, for Your loving kindness never ceases; forever we have placed our hope in You.
Shabbat Shalom!
Yitzchak