Second Chances

One day the light goes on and you suddenly see the world as you never saw it before. Events and struggles from the past suddenly have clarity.

 

Today with amazing new medical research into the brains neuroplasticity we are able to better understand the development of our world view, our reactions, our strengths and our struggles.

 

One of the fascinating things that have come to light is that much of what we do is driven by the brains development that we had no choosing in. For example, life events in birth and early childhood that “happened” to us. The reactions to those events is hardwired into us.

 

The knowledge of this development allows for us to better diagnose the struggle today, and explore new ways of bringing healing.

 

From a theological perspective something radical is validated.

 

Our tradition tells us that it is never too late. This is evidenced in this week’s Torah portion with the story of a small group of Jews involved in carrying the casket of Aaron the High Priest and as such were impure when it came to bringing the Passover Sacrifice in the second year of the Exodus.

 

They complained and said it was unfair that they would miss out on the opportunity. Read; it is unfair that things outside of our control prevented us from the opportunities that were available to others.

 

Moses, takes this to heart and consults with Hashem who in turn grants the Jewish People a “second chance”, a second Passover.

 

With our new profound understanding of neuroplasticity as mentioned above, we have a greater understanding into forgiveness for our shortcomings and opportunity to do it differently.

 

As parents with larger families or families with children with a large age spread, we often hear the older children complaining that the younger children are treated differently and sometimes spoiled.

 

It’s actually true (maybe not the spoiled part). We are different people when we are older (say 45) than when we were younger (say 25). We know more about the world, we have a different perspective. We are forgiven for our shortcomings from the past as long as we have truly made change.

 

How sad would it be and what kind of commentary would it be if we were still treating the younger children like the older. It would be a testament that we haven’t grown at all.

 

Here we see a profound paralleling of ancient ideas of the Torah, their relevance today and where modern science and ideas can help us better understand the Torah.

 

Have a great Shabbos.