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A Free Pass


Uh Oh! I’m in trouble! I grew up in a family that did not celebrate birthdays and anniversaries. My wife grew up in a family that has a major 48 hour celebration for each birthday and anniversary. Let’s just say that I had to make some changes. I have learned to work very hard to never forget an important day. Today, I missed a very important day: La Revolucion de Mayo! How could I forget, not that I ever knew of, one of the most significant days in Argentine history? If you don’t hear from me ever again, you will understand that I deserved my fate. I need to earn a free pass to escape the consequences of forgetting an important Argentine anniversary. (No such thing for birthdays or normal anniversaries!) Please don’t tell Debbie, but if I ever survive this terrible sin, I plan to get my revenge! On May 24, 2011, the 20th of Iyar, I will catch my wife for forgetting the important event that occurred in this week’s portion: “It was in the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth of the month, the cloud was lifted from upon the Tabernacle of the Testimony.” (Numbers 10:11) She will never again be able to be angry with me for forgetting an important anniversary! “Is the 20th of Iyar any less important than the 25th of Mayo (May)? It is more important: Otherwise why would it be mentioned in the Torah?” I know my wife. She will respond, “Why is it important?” Do you think Rashi’s explanation will be effective: “This teaches us that they spent 12 months less 10 days at Choreiv.” I’m not sure that will be a good response. Let’s try the Ibn Ezra: “This was the first journey of the people as a camp with the Mishkan.” Somehow, I suspect that the explanation will not earn me a free pass for any important anniversaries I may forget. I need a better explanation. Let’s see: Perhaps we can combine Rashi and the Ibn Ezra. When I read, “12 months less 10 days,” I immediately think of the Ten Days of Repentance. “Journey,” stressed by the Ibn Ezra, tells me that it is a celebration of movement. I got it! “This anniversary is important because it teaches us that Teshuva is the beginning of a journey – a beginning far more important than a birthday. My journey through life will only be meaningful if I master the art of Teshuva.” Even after a year spent at Sinai, we still had to do Teshuva! We cannot remain in one place, even if that place is as holy as Sinai. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur may be days of Teshuva, but the 20th of Iyar is the day we evaluate whether we are living our life’s journey by constantly being willing to change and grow. Do you think I’ll win my Free Pass? Author Info: Learn & discover the Divine prophecies with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg from the holy Torah, Jewish Law, Mysticism, Kabbalah and Jewish Prophecies. The Foundation Stone™ is the ultimate resource for Jews, Judaism, Jewish Education, Jewish Spirituality & the holy Torah.

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