Timeless Torah

Moshe was extremely distressed. He, the greatest of all prophets, had totally purged himself of all physical desires. He had survived amongst the angels in his struggle to wrest the Torah from heaven; he lived apart from his wife and thus was truly married to his people and their G-d; and in his merit the spiritual wonder-bread called manna descended to feed the nation. But the complainers were not satisfied. Worse, they spurned the manna and asked for good, old-fashioned meat!
The man of G-d foresaw the consequences. Recriminations would be followed by punishment and his strength forsook him. So Moshe pleaded, “I alone cannot carry this entire nation, for it is too heavy for me.”
It seems that Hashem concurred. He thus replied to his faithful servant, “To the people you shall say, ‘Prepare yourselves...you shall eat meat....Not for one day....an entire month, until it comes out of your nose and becomes nauseating to you.’ ”
One might imagine Moshe to be reconciled to the welcome news. Instead, what we hear is rather cryptic. Listen carefully to Moshe’s response. “I am among six hundred thousand people on foot...”
What did the Jewish leader mean, “On foot”? Did Moshe feel that G-d should give the Israelites camels for transport instead of cows for consumption and all the kvetching would disappear? Was Moshe implying that someone had misread the underlying point of contention?
It may very well be that Moshe in stating the phrase “on foot” was in fact analyzing the real root of the problem. Society’s intelligentsia have long complained that physical prowess and bodily strength are for more respected and valued than those who display amazing intellectual skills. Simply put, an athlete receives far more publicity, fame, and fortune than a scholar.
Our priorities are only too evident when we compare the limited number of individuals who attend symposiums offering scintillating and even vital information to the overwhelming crowds that flock to a football game. Let’s face it; no academic debate will ever attract as many spectators as a boxing match.
There are times, and we are certainly living in one of them, when the human race idolizes the body far more than it regards the mind. This disparity in values is even more pronounced when comparing athletes to religious leaders. While no one may know or heap acclaim upon the scientist, at least they are not the target of scorn and derision. The priest, minister, and Rabbi is however not immune from insult.
This was the mindset of our great-great grandparents back in the desert. “Give us the meat” they argued because it was the satisfaction of the physical senses that they were after. This perspective of theirs was captured succinctly in the words of Moses, “I am among six hundred thousand people on foot...” When people are led by the foot instead of the mind, heart or soul, there is bound to be a rather disconsolate Moshe.
In fact, the Midrash explains that Moshe’s request for assistants was the realization that what he personally had to offer, spiritual manna, was not what the people wanted to see on the dinner menu. Perhaps other leaders, more in touch with the desires of the man on the street could provide a fare that would be more acceptable.
However if it appears that society hasn’t changed, don’t be fooled. At least our ancestors, as G-d had predicted would only enjoy the feasting frenzy for a short while, “Until it comes out of your nose and becomes nauseating to you.”
We, on the other hand, have become immured and desensitized to the spectacle and glorification of the flesh and its abilities. Craving ever more, yesterday’s extremes are expected to be surpassed with new displays designed for our entertainment to be more graphic, explicit, violent, vulgar and perverted. Maybe the proverbial Jewish nose has indeed grown too big?