OUR FUTURE

  As we read in our Torah of the many experiences of the Jewish People and their trek to the Promised Land, after their exodus from Egyptian bondage, we find one truism that stands out and the oft repeated statement, "We had it better in the olden days".   Though it was said in a different context, I have found that, lately, in our own generational experiences, as many face different crises in their lives, a similar statement is shared, "It was better in the good old days".

  In all honesty, I am not so sure that this is true. It may have been a simpler life. Simpler does not mean it was better. 

   I had the pleasure to join with our children as three of our grandsons graduated from DRS High School and will be learning in Eretz Yisroel for a year. Sitting in the audience and observing so many of our youth, who live by the motto of Torah and Madah, truly gladdened my heart. At that moment I realized  that our Torah oriented way of life has, indeed, a glorious future. Many have said to me "Times are not what they used to be." My retort is, "Maybe in fact, they are better, for there are more young men and women who are dedicating their time and effort in learning Torah and spreading this knowledge and enthusiasm to others."

  These are times when we begin to realize, more and more, that the entire thrust of Judaism is to look forward and to build more secured spiritual structures that were entrusted to us by our past. 

   This week's Sedrah, Chukat, speaks of the death of Miriam, the true savior of Moshe and on whose merit the Jewish People had water throughout their tortuous journey through the dessert.  With her death, the well of water dried up. The people complained.  They realized that the symbol of water is the spiritual and physical  life sustaining force and were, now, bemoaning the dire consequences affecting them by the death of Miriam.

   However, I am sure that as many mourned her death and bewailed the loss of water, they were encouraged to look to the future and beseech Hashem to sustain them. 

  We can feel the influence of Miriam on the people's fate - but we can, equally, appreciate a dynamic G-Dly influence that took hold of them at that moment as they  knew that only Hashem could help them.  It was for that reason they cried out to Moshe and to Hashem. Thus, indirectly, the life and death of Miriam, a recognized prophetess, continued to have a great influence on the spiritual outlook of the Jewish People. 

  Let us remember that Moshe directed the Jews at Sinai to "Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow." After all, the true journey in life is to look towards the tomorrow. With our children and grandchildren acting in consonance with Torah and Halacha, we will build a future that will be,"לשם ולתפארת בישראל, To the Glory of G-D and to the glory of the Jewish People."

   We must begin to realize that all our efforts in life are to use our past in a way that will enrich our present and insure our future.

  Life is a braided cord of humanity stretching way back into the past and strengthening itself as it moves forth into the present and gains greater momentum by all our efforts into a sustaining future. 

  A generation without Jewish memories is a generation without hope. Our success encourages us to permit the past to live in us as we march on with pride and dignity.