Shabbat Greetings
In reflecting on the story of Moses and the rock from this week’s Torah portion, Chukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), I’m struck by how it parallels our own journeys of personal growth and confronting our limitations. Just as Moses faced “the rock” in his life—his own tendencies towards action rather than words—we, too, encounter similar challenges that define our paths towards fulfillment.
From childhood, we learn the struggle of using words instead of instinctive actions to express ourselves. This theme resonates deeply with Moses’ journey. When commanded by God to speak to the rock to bring forth water, Moses instead strikes it. This act, while effective, leads to consequences—denial of entry into the Promised Land—not because of a lack of water, but because of a deeper lesson about trust, sanctity, and personal evolution.
Moses, throughout his life, was familiar with action in response to injustice. His early act of defending an Israelite by striking down an Egyptian was driven by an innate sense of justice, but devoid of words. This pattern continued later in life, as seen with the incident at the rock. Despite God’s earlier efforts to mold Moses into a man of words—to confront Pharaoh, to lead God’s people—Moses struggled with this change. The moment with the rock became symbolic not just of providing water, but of Moses’ ongoing internal conflict.
Like Moses, we encounter our own “rocks” in life—our recurring challenges and limitations. For some, it’s a propensity to react impulsively rather than communicate thoughtfully. For others, it might be impatience, defensiveness, or other barriers to growth. The story reminds us that growth requires us to confront these patterns, to transcend our limitations, and to evolve into our full potential.
The Torah’s use of “the rock” instead of “a rock” suggests a specific, significant challenge rather than just any obstacle. Similarly, our personal struggles are not random—they are the rocks we must face repeatedly until we learn the lesson they hold for us. Just as Moses faced consequences for his actions, we too must navigate the outcomes of our choices and responses.
Ultimately, the story invites us to consider: when faced with our own “rocks,” will we respond as Moses did, or will we find the words to navigate our challenges with wisdom and growth? The journey towards our own “Promised Land”—our aspirations and potentials—is ongoing. It demands not just action, but reflection, introspection, and the courage to use our words—to speak truth, to seek understanding, and to evolve beyond our limitations.
SHABBAT SHALOM