From the Desk of Jennifer Lorch Selco | Sr. Director of Jewish Living + Engagement
It’s hard to listen to others when we are so intent on being right.
This week’s double Torah portion is Chukat-Balak. In Parshat Balak, we meet a king who wants to curse the Israelites, a wizard of sorts, and a talking donkey. Balak, the King of Moab hires Bilam, the wizard of sorts, to curse the Israelites, who were moving closer into Moabite territory. Bilam rides on his donkey toward a place where he can look down at the Israelites to curse them. Along the journey, God sends an angel that Bilam cannot see, and he is quite angry and confused when the donkey suddenly stops for no apparent reason. A very angry and confused Bilam yells at and beats the donkey. This happens two more times, until God puts words into the donkey’s mouth who says to Bilam, “Why do you beat me?” God opens up Bilam’s eyes to the sight of the angel who had been blocking Bilam’s journey. Ultimately, Bilam ends up blessing the Israelites. The blessing features a phrase that is part of Jewish liturgy today, “Mah tovu, o’halecha Ya’akov, mishkenotecha Yisrael; How goodly are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!” The saga of Bilam and Balak ends when they part ways.
Bilam’s donkey saw something that Bilam could not see, but Bilam was not open to the idea of following his donkey’s lead. Bilam reminds us, that even as adults, sometimes it’s hard to listen. In Jewish life, there is a practice called Hitlamdut, Hebrew for internalizing what we learn or experience. Practicing hitlamdut means taking a moment for non-judgmental curiosity – asking ourselves what is being said, how are we hearing what is being said, and how might our own biases impact what we are hearing. When we take a pause to practice hitlamdut, we have the opportunity to truly listen to what is being said and to what is happening around us. Practicing hitlamdut is just like any other skill – it takes practice and consistency. We might stumble sometimes, and we should always strive to seek to understand multiple perspectives and to be open to a variety of possibilities.
This Shabbat, I invite us all to reflect on the idea of listening and hitlamdut. May we all be pleasantly surprised by what we hear.
In the story of Balak and Balam, it is not the powerful king or the famous prophet who sees most clearly, but a donkey who notices what everyone else misses. The story reminds us that our perspective is often enriched by unexpected voices and that holiness has a way of revealing itself where we least expect it. We experience those same truths in our community here at the Tucson J. The moments that shape us most are often the ones that seem ordinary: a conversation over breakfast, a child discovering something new at camp, or a game shared across generations.
This week marked the half-way point of camp season—time truly flies when you’re having fun! Some highlights from the week include a very special chugim (choice/elective activity) with the Tucson Sugar Skulls Dance Team, Out of this World dress-up day, making pinch pots in art, mock interviews for our teens in Nisayon, a camping trip on Mt. Lemmon for Tiyul, and a field trip to Skate Country for Giborim. In Disability Program Services, participants enjoyed another Summer Concert, this time rocking out to tunes on the banjo.
On Tuesday, we proudly hosted another Blood Drive for American Red Cross, practicing the value of Tikkun Olam (heal the world) by giving back to our community. The next Blood Driveis August 26; join us! Wednesday, our weekly chess club met in the multi-purpose room to connect through friendly competition and shared interests. And this morning, parents met with our Early Childhood administrators for pastries and coffee and chatted about the many exciting things coming up for families—including a new Newborn Basics class led by Tanque Verde Pediatrics and a pop-up Move Like a Mother workout with Tess from Intuitive Training.
This shabbat, we are grateful to be able to take a moment to notice the blessings and the holiness that is present among us each and every day. Wishing you a restful and restorative weekend. Shabbat Shalom.
Reminders, Resources + Learning
Each week we share resources for more learning:
This week’s resources:
Last week’s resources (for last week):
- Hope in the Darkness of Fear by Rabbi Vered L. Harris (reformjudaism.org)
- Being Vulnerable Is Being Strong by Rabbi Nechemia Schusterman (Chabad)
- The Power Of Perception by Rabbi Dr. Bradley Shavit Artson (My Jewish Learning)
Is there a topic you’d like to learn more about? Email Jenn Selco with requests.
