Welcome to first parsha of Sefer Shemot. Within the first chapters, we are introduced to Moshe and a whole new cast of characters as our national narrative commences.
In the third chapter of Shemot we find Moshe married and working for his father-in-law as a shepherd, when one day he approaches a bush and notices that it fails to burn. This fantastical story, instructs us about Moshe's ability to notice the unusual, a trait that is essential for a shepherd. God notes this behavior and asks Moshe to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, but Moshe is not easy to convince. He has a number of excuses as to why he should not go before Pharaoh. He tries to use his issues of speech as an excuse, but God does not take no for an answer. For each excuse that Moshe has, God has a way to scaffold a solution.
God sees something in Moshe that cannot see himself. I don't think that we can call God a mentor. God is many things, but being a mentor is what humans do for each other. Nevertheless, Parshat Shemot is a great opportunity to think about the powers of mentoring. Like God in this story, a mentor doesn't give up on someone and finds ways to help a person succeed.
Long ago, I recall being at a meeting of educators. The head of the Bureau of Jewish Education presented us with a lesson that day. I recall him standing tall and sharing that we, as educators, have the power to be mentors. I recall him saying that we can put our hands on the shoulder of those we are mentoring in order to let them know that we see something special in them. It is that image, that stayed with me, the image of laying one's hand on someone's shoulder. That is inspiration for this post, for the power of a mentor is great.
This post is dedicated to the person who taught me that day, Dr. Daniel Margolis, the former head of the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Boston. Thank you.
We all hold the power to be a mentor. To notice the gift that someone has and put your hand upon their shoulder.
Leann
PS Hoping that a hostage deal will be signed by the time you read this post. May we hear good news soon.
That Hand Upon Your Shoulder
When words tumble backwards
and uneasily linger inside, aching to break out.
When others say much and you remain silent.
When you think everyone in the room is better,
or smarter,
or more important
and you feel like a speck of dust in the corner,
remember that there is someone behind you.
Her hand is ready to tap you on your shoulder.
There she is,
urging you to strand up straight,
stand taller,
to acknowledge her gentle touch.
“You can do it,”she gently states.
as you shake your head, "NO!"
“You can do it,” she insists.
Her hand remains there.
She doesn't let go.
She believes in you.
She sees that magic in you,
the strength, the spark
lying latent within you
that you fail to see.
Feel that hand upon your shoulder
Without words it encourages,
insists to you,
“You can do it!”
It is a gentle, but persistent touch.
It's not about moving mountains.
It's not even about shepherding a people.
Perhaps it is something small…
to take a step forward and not backward,
to do, to make, to learn,
or perhaps it is showing up differently than yesterday,
beginning to believe
that you are not that dust in the corner.
Open your eyes!
You are someone.
You are that someone!
For this day, reflect,
What if Moses had replied with an emphatic no?
What if he had refused the call to serve?
What if he stayed back and led his life,
quietly guiding baaing sheep,
neither going forward nor backward,
all because he thought he couldn’t do it?
So stop looking into yourself like you are not worthy.
Instead, look behind you.
That hand is ready to tap you on your shoulder.
Don’t say no.
Accept the gesture with a step forward.
Stand a little straighter,
See what she sees.
You might be changing yourself
and who knows,
maybe you will change the course of history?
You are worth it.
A link to a playlist for mentoring: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/30orifFeIcO9XpGVZDfe6V?si=xpY4cn9XTZ2YC9oTN_ljHw
But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites from Egypt?”
And He said, “I will be with you; that shall be your sign that it was I who sent you. And when you have freed the people from Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.”
Exodus 3:11-12
מִ֣י אָנֹ֔כִי?
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ כִּֽי־אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה עִמָּ֔ךְ
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