Dylan Reinders - Dvar Torah

Shabbat Shalom

Today is my Bar Mitzvah and my torah portion is Chukat and I would like to share with you what my torah portion is about and what I have learnt from it.

This story begins after 40 years of journeying through the desert, the people of Israel are tired, Miriam has died and the people begin to quarrel and complain about their conditions – they are thirsty for water.

Hashem said to Moses “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” … Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff.

Why did Moses strike the rock when Hashem said to speak to it – did he not listen or hear what Hashem had said –

In Moses’ defence his sister had just died and the people interrupted his mourning to complain about water but is that an excuse not to listen to Hashem’s instruction?

Which led me to start thinking how important it is to not just listen but to hear what people are saying when they talk to me like my parents, family, teachers and friends.

If you do not listen correctly you could make a BIG mistake that could affect you –In Moses’ case he was not allowed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, luckily for me when I do not listen my phone might get taken away for a few days.

Great people like Moses are held to a higher standard – Me as the older brother also has to set a good example for my younger brother, Brody and teach him through my actions.

 For my bar mitzvah project – I went to visit the elderly at Highlands house and I got to listen to all their stories. I even found out what rugby positions some of the male residents played in their youth.  It was a wonderful experience and I really appreciated the time I spent with them.

 Life can get busy, I know I’m only 13 but balancing school, sport, family and friends can be challenging and all these external factors can cause us to lose our hearing and not be attentive to what Hashem is saying.

As a Bar Mitzvah not just today but going forward I want to be able to pay attention to the people around me, show interest and empathy to my fellow man.

The Torah highlights Moses’ mistake, teaching us the importance of listening and to trust in Hashem’s plan.

Thank you all for listening to me and sharing this special day with me.