Being created in God’s image means that we must follow our dreams

By Rabbi Malcolm Matitiani

Lech el ne-malah eitzel re-ei dera-che-ha va-cha-cham. (Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways, and be wise) Proverbs 6:6

The author of Sefer Mishlei, The Book of Proverbs (traditionally King Solomon), urges us to follow the example of the lowly ant that works industriously during the summer to stock up on food supplies for the winter. Although King Solomon explains his directive to learn from the ant as a warning against sloth, one can also understand the injunction to mean that one must make provision for the future, and not only live for the present. Although one must enjoy life and the present (Deuteronomy 26:11, Jeremiah 31:14, Ecclesiastes 3:13), one should plan sensibly for the future.

Just as the author of the Book of Proverbs gleaned a profound lesson from the ant, I, along with thousands of other movie-goers, learned an important lesson from another insect, albeit an animated one. I am referring to Barry B. Benson, the star of the animated film, Bee Movie. This motion picture, created and co-written by Jerry Seinfeld, explores the issue of the purpose of life.

The hero of the story has just graduated from college and is horrified to discover that he is destined to have the same job for life. He has been trained to work for Honex, a company that manufactures honey, and he quickly becomes disillusioned when he is told that the particular job that he chooses in the honey-making process will be his only choice for life. Refusing to accept his fate, Barry rebels by joining the ‘Pollen Jocks’ on an excursion outside the hive. On one of his excursions, Barry’s life is saved by a florist whom he befriends. During a visit to a supermarket, Barry discovers that humans steal honey from bees and he realises that his true calling is to stop this injustice by suing the human race.

The story of Barry B. Benson is of an individual who refuses to give in to the expectations of his parents, friends and society, and is resolved to determine his own future and to be the best bee that he can be according to his own idea of what that is.

All too often people bow to the expectations of others when making career choices or other life-determining decisions. All too often we lack the courage of our convictions to reach our full potential as human beings. The midrash posits that Joseph’s striped coat given to him by his father made him appear effeminate so that he looked like Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife. The midrash (Bereishit Rabba 84.7) further states that Joseph curled his hair and used cosmetics to add to the illusion. Thus Joseph was not allowed to be himself but was a surrogate for his late mother — indeed his father even discouraged him to dream (Genesis 37:10). It was only when he was sold to the Ishmaelite traders by his brothers that Joseph was no longer merely a substitute for Rachel. Stripped of his coat Joseph could begin to discover his own potential which he did by interpreting the dreams of Pharaoh’s cup-bearer, baker and finally Pharaoh himself.

The story of Joseph is similar to the story of Barry B. Benson in that both were expected to abandon their individuality and conform to their parents’ expectations of who they should be. This is of course contrary to the life-affirming principles of Torah that upholds the right of every individual to express themselves freely within the confines of the ethical values of our tradition. The sages of the Talmud marvelled at God’s ingenuity at being able to create human beings like a mint stamps out coins, the difference being that unlike coins, each and every human being is unique both physically and spiritually (Sanhedrin 38a). Each of us has distinctive talents and skills, likes and dislikes, and each of us needs to cater for these differences. By refusing to allow the expectations of others or of society to dictate our own future we emulate the example set not only by Joseph, but by his parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Abraham refused to comply with the norms and expectations of Mesopotamia and forged his own relationship with the Divine. Isaac refused to allow the traumatic experience of nearly being sacrificed by his own father to influence his relationship with God, and Jacob was determined to marry his beloved Rachel even after being tricked by Laban into marrying Leah. Similarly God urged Moses to overcome his fear of public speaking so that he could fulfil his calling as the liberator, law-giver and military leader of the People of Israel.

Sarah’s tenacity and determination to have a child eventually resulted in her conceiving at a ripe old age, Rebecca made sure that Jacob received the blessing of the first-born instead of Esau, and Leah fought for and eventually won the love and respect of Jacob. Miriam and Jocheved made sure that Moses survived Pharaoh’s attempt to kill all Hebrew male babies.

All these biblical figures provide an example for each of us. We are all divinely mandated to pursue our own dreams and aspirations. Similarly we commit a grave transgression if we obstruct someone in attaining their goals and ambitions.

Just as we can learn to be industrious and diligent from the ant, so we are obligated to follow the example of our biblical ancestors (and our animated bee friend) and follow our dreams, to become the best human beings possible.


Celebrating Tu B’Shvat

On Monday 17 January a group from Temple Israel set out on an early morning Tu B’Shvat tree appreciation walk in Newlands forest. It was a wonderful way to celebrate the trees and begin the new week.

Temple Israel www.templeisrael.co.za

• Published in the PDF edition of the February 2022 issue – Click here to get it.

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