Parashat Beha’alotcha

By: Rabbi Yosef Khakshoor

In this week’s parasha, parahsat Beha’alotcha, when the Jewish people left Har Sinai, a group called erev rav (a group of converted Egyptians) started to complain about the manna (heavenly bread) . They complained to have meat instead of manna. The Jewish people also started to cry because they wanted to have meat. This caused Hashem to become very angry. If the erev rav initiated the complaint about the manna, why did the Jewish people follow them? One would expect the Jews to have a greater strength of character than the erev rav and not follow their improper and ungrateful behavior.

From this incident we learn the importance of being surrounded with good friends and neighbors. No matter how strong a person is, he will inevitably become affected by the attitudes and behaviors of the people around him. Sometimes the effect is so gradual that unfortunately, we do not even realize it until it is too late. Therefore, it is crucial for us and our children to have friends and neighbors that will have a positive effect on us. May Hashem give us and our children the strength to withstand the challenges of peer pressure with valor and fortitude.

Shabat Shalom.

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