On a recent flight I was reminded of the famous observation that when choosing a surgeon, even for a routine surgery, one will investigate credentials and reputation, but we barely take notice of the pilot when boarding a plane, let alone investigate whether he really knows how to fly the big bird.
The reason is simple; the pilot is flying in the plane together with us and if he’s confident enough to occupy the cockpit, I’m fine relaxing in economy with a book. The surgeon, on the other hand, will go home to his family even if the surgery is not a slam dunk more investigation is appropriate.
Let’s analyze two similar scenarios regarding detention after school hours.
Jimmy disrupted class and was punished with one hour of detention after school. He’s really upset because he would miss out on the first few innings of the junior league softball game. Seeing his teacher exit the school building and drive away makes him even more upset because, in his childish mind, he feels it unfair that the teacher who caused him to miss out on his after-school plans did not get her after-school plans disrupted.
Here’s the alternative scenario: there is no official detention room at the school and Jimmy’s teacher needs to stay in the classroom with him for an hour so he could suffer the consequences of disrupting class. While missing the first innings of the softball game is still very upsetting, the fact that the teacher stayed behind as well makes Jimmy feel slightly differently about it. This week’s parsha Bechukosai deals with the fundamental Jewish belief of reward and punishment. The idea is simple: if we observe the Torah and Mitzvot G-d will grant us health, wealth and peace. If not, there is a laundry list of horrifying curses that will befall the Jewish people as a consequence for violating the divine covenant. But after 30 verses of curses, culminating with the curse of exile, the Torah concludes with the following: “Despite all this, while they are in their enemies’ land, I will not be revolted by them nor will I reject them to obliterate them.” (Leviticus 26:44) When we are in exile, G-d is in exile together with us. When we experience misfortune, tragedy and calamity, G-d experiences the pain and suffering together with us. Even when we are sullied with sin and project an odor of egocentrism, self centeredness and corruption, G-d still cherishes us unconditionally and never leaves us. We might be in detention, missing out on some amazing spiritual stuff, but G-d is in detention together with us and supports us in cleaning up our mess. This is tremendously empowering and should inspire us to learn more Torah and do even more Mitzvot despite the challenges of exile, thereby preparing ourselves and the world for the imminent redemption when peace and tranquility will reign for all.