The Grass is Greener on the Other Side

ויכתב משה את מוצאיהם למסעיהם על פי ה' ואלה מסעיהם למוצאיהם (במדבר לג' ב')

The parsha summarizes the entire route followed by the Yiden from when they left Egypt until they were ready to enter Eretz Yisrael. The parsha begins, "Moshe wrote their going forth according to their journeys at the bidding of Hashem". At the end of the Possuk, this same idea is repeated, but the words are reversed: "andthese were their journeys according to their going forth". What was the reason for switching the order? The beginning of the Possuk expresses how Hashem regarded their travels; whenever Hashem wanted them to go forth He did so because he wanted them to progress to the next step in his plan, to journey toward the destiny that He had planned for them. Every place he ordered them to go was custom made, tailored just for them to help them towards their goal. Each place had its own obstacles to overcome, developing their character. However, the second phrase looks at the traveling from the people’s point of view. The people saw things differently. It is human nature for one to always think that he would be much happier and be more productive if only he were someplace else. They would always journey simply to go forth to the next destination hoping it would be better, hoping it would have more to offer, and not because they were thinking of reaching their long-term goal.[1] Many times one may think, “If only I was in a different school, if only I lived someplace else, if only I had more money… I would be so much more productive”. But the truth is that the exact situation that you are in was designed especially for you, to help you reach your goals and destinations. According to the Chofetz Chaim this principle is reflected in Hashem’s words to Moshe: The place on which you stand is holy ground.[2] Despite all its difficulties, your present situation is an opportunity for holiness and growth. The exact situation that you are in - righthere and right now, is holy, and that’s the place where you are able to grow and do better. You don’t need to go anywhere else.Furthermore, the grass only looks greener on the other side, because you are looking at it from a distance. You don’t see any of the blotches and cracks since the grass is covering them. All you see is beautiful green grass. However when you actually go there, you then see all the blemishes and all the breaks. It is not the same grass you saw from afar! Any school you attend or any place you live in has its own obstacles and its own difficulties to overcome.

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