“Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!”

 “You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

“You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know.

You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.

So be sure when you step.

Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act.

Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.

And never mix up your right foot with your left.”

“You’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So… get on your way!”[1]

          How wonderful to celebrate our confirmands and our graduates on this special Shabbat. Whether you are graduating Kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school or college, we are most grateful to celebrate you today.

          Our people are also at the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land this week with Parshat Behaalotecha. They are commanded to mark when the ark is raised and to encamp when it is put down. This is preparation for the wars they will fight on their way to Israel. Unfortunately the nation get a “false start” before they make any ground.

          Numbers 11 teaches “the people complained angrily in the ears of Gd and Gd heard and G’ds anger flared and a fire of Gd burned against them…”[2] After this they crave the meat, fish and vegetables they ate as slaves rather than this manna which tasted like coriander seed.[3] The medieval commentator Nahmanides views the correct interpretation as “as they got further away from Mount Sinai, which was near an inhabitable settlement, and entered the great and dreadful wilderness in their first journey, they became upset and said: “What shall we do? How shall we live in this wilderness? What shall we eat and what shall we drink? How shall we endure the trouble and the suffering, and when shall we come out of here?”[4] In other words, Israel is struggling with how will they become independent. While being slaves they knew what was expected of them and had structure to their day. They also were provided with food and shelter. This is no longer the case as they travel through the desert on their way to Israel.

          There is a lesson here for our confirmands and graduates to learn. Becoming independent is not always easy-it means more responsibilities. Some of you will be going to a much larger school next year or with much older kids. Others are moving away from home for the first time. Others are graduating and might be wondering how to navigate getting a job and entering the workforce. When I think of the anticipation as we go from one stage of life to the next I also think of the anxiety and fear that is behind these changes. You’re in good company, yet please be reassured, as we are when we read the Bible, that all’s well that ends well. Our ancestors make it to Israel and set up communities, and you will make it to the next stage of life. View false starts are learning and growth opportunities.

          To our graduates and confirmands as well as those who are finishing their formal education, I want you to remember the following 3 words: learning never ends. There are always new opportunities to expand our mindsets. Part of the reason I’ve done so many rabbinic fellowships, including the one I’m finishing this coming week, is because of the importance of devoting oneself to continuing education. Today we celebrate you and look forward to your having a well-deserved summer break. We can’t wait to hear of the places you’ll go and the people you’ll see as you take the next step in your life journey. Mazal Tov on reaching this special day!

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[1] Selected excerpts from Dr Seuss “Oh the Places You’ll Go”

[2] Numbers 11:1

[3] Numbers 11:7

[4] Ramban on Numbers 11:1 ד”ה ויהי העם כמתעוננים