The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon.
Chukat-Balak
Numbers 19:1-25:9
Every year when we arrive at Chukat, one half of this week’s double Torah portion, I am reminded that it’s the coolest thing in the world that the medical symbol of a snake on a pole so closely fits the description of a “nachash nechoshet” — a copper snake — wrapped around a pole in this very Torah portion.
If you Google it, there are other explanations which link this symbol to Roman or Greek gods. But as I read the words of our Torah portion, it’s perfectly clear (to me anyway) that this symbol comes right from our Torah.
In Chukat, the Israelites are complaining mightily about wandering in the desert. Even while walking derech yam suf — directly along the path of the Red Sea, the path of miracles! — they are complaining. They fail to observe anything extraordinary around themselves. They only take note of the hard things, the imperfections they witness.
As a punishment, God sends snakes to bite them. And as they suffer from the effects of the snake bites, the Israelites ask Moses to pray for an antidote. Moses prays for the Israelites. And God instructs Moses, “Make yourself a serpent and put it on a pole, and let whoever is bitten look at it and live.” So Moses creates a copper serpent and puts it on the pole. Anyone who was bitten by a snake would look at this pole and be cured.
(The modern medical symbol sometimes includes two snakes wrapped around a pole; other times, just one.)
What an interesting message, both for the ancient Israelites and for modern society: The anti-venom is right there in front of people. The solution to a challenging, potentially lethal situation, is intertwined with the problem itself.
Earlier this month, I was in Israel as a rabbinic delegate to the American Jewish Committee’s Global Forum. It was a fascinating conference and engaged the participants in many aspects of contemporary Israeli society. As I spent a week in Tel Aviv, learning about the democracy movement, dangers faced by Israeli Arabs, LGBTQ rights and many other current issues, I sometimes felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the problems.
We joined thousands of Israeli protesters at one of the weekly democracy rallies. It was inspiring to see so many people of all ages and walks of life wearing or carrying Israeli flags as they rallied for a changed society.
It was extraordinary!
The love of Israel’s underlying values was visible everywhere. And yet, there are enormous challenges in Israeli society today.
As we walked through Tel Aviv late on Saturday night, I wondered: How can these challenges be resolved?
Re-reading Chukat this week provided hope for an answer. When the ancient Israelites felt overwhelmed by fear, God told them to stay strong and find a solution hidden in plain sight. I think modern Israel is in a parallel situation today. Given the venomous behaviors that do, indeed, threaten the safety and survival of modern Israeli society, the antidote must be found hiding in plain sight.
But that requires really looking at the problems within society. Just as the ancient Israelites were instructed by God to stare at the copper snake, to truly look at their adversary, we must do the same — stare down that which threatens our society. It’s not comfortable to face your enemy or to engage with them. But by doing just that, the Israelites engaged with difficulty and prevailed.
The nachash nechoshet serves as an inspiration to us. The ancient Israelites faced a very uncertain future. Modern Israel faces a rather uncertain future right now.
What will happen? Just like in ancient times, a new society will emerge. It will be better and stronger than the one before. Overcoming adversity helps to build strength — and a renewed commitment to the future.
But the question remains — as we walk derech yam suf today, right along the path of so many miracles — will we recognize them? Will we experience awe as we remember how we got here? I certainly hope so. Like our ancestors did, we walk sightless among miracles.