A noted Rabbi and judge who lives in Jerusalem was walking home with a friend. He was confronted by his neighbor. The neighbor accosted the Rabbi and charged him with owing him money.
The Rabbi asked, why do I owe you money?
The neighbor replied that the Rabbi had recently had his apartment painted and the process had caused the neighbor damage and he felt he was owed recompense.
The Rabbi asked why?
The man explained that the painter had poured the leftover paint down the pipes and that paint had stopped up his pipes and he had to hire a plumber to unstop the pipes to the tune of 600 shekel, approximately $200.
The Rabbi immediately reached into his pocket and gave his neighbor the money.
As they continued on their journey, the Rabbi told his colleague that he could prove in 3 ways that he did not actually owe the money.
First of all, the Rabbi said, paint does not clog pipes.
Secondly, the pipes in his apartment are on the other side of the building, and do not interface at all with his neighbor’s pipes.
And, finally, he had not done any painting in his apartment at all.
The colleague was dumbfounded. He wanted to understand why the Rabbi paid the sum without argument or defense.
The Rabbi responded that keeping peace with his neighbor is worth 600 shekels.
That is an inspired thought.
Especially at this time of year when we are experiencing the Three Weeks, the time when we mourn the loss of our Temple, the House of Peace, a loss that came about due to not seeing one another’s presence and worth.
If we would value peace with one another to the degree we would be willing to pay for it, we would be in a different place entirely.

This week’s Torah portion is a double one, Matos and Massei and it chronicles the many stations and stops the Jewish nation experienced in their decades long trek in the desert.
A trip in the desert can be long and full of despair. There are so many challenges and it seems as if there is no hope in sight, no light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.
The Torah enumerates the 42 stops that the Jewish nation made on that journey.
Because even though it seemed interminable at the time, when we look at the whole picture in retrospect, there were so many growth moments filled with light, so many moments of inspiration, so many interactions when we chose to really see each other and be willing to “pay” for that privilege.
The indomitable Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi continues on her own to journey to reach out and connect to those that our suffering in these days and to bring them a modicum of succor during their difficult journey.
And through her interactions with the bereaved, she uncovers diamonds again and again as she unearths the hidden strength and power which lies just beneath the surface of each one.
The Rabbanit shared that she went to the Shiva for Yonatan Ahron Greenblatt, a soldier that was severely injured in combat in Gaza, who recently succumbed to his wounds.
There was a unique gathering at the shiva when she arrived.
Surrounding the bereaved mother were a group of ladies who have sons who have been seriously in battle. This sorority which no one wishes to be a part of, sits vigil over their children at Soroka hospital.
They never leave their boys bedsides.
Until that day of the Shiva.
These mothers come from different backgrounds in Israeli society.
Their common denominator is their dedication to their critically injured sons.
But they as a group left their posts for a short time because this sisterhood was inspired by the mother of Yonatan.
One of the mothers said she learned how to pray from Yonatan’s mother, she learned faith from Yonatan’s mother, and she gathers strength from her.
“She left in a woman’s heart a faith she never knew before. “
The Rabbanit realized that all the stages of the journey are meaningful. Sometimes extraordinarily painful and dark but always accompanied by light.
Because if we really see each other we will be willing to pay the price for peace.
Because we cannot afford not to!
Written on day 300, a station on the journey in the desert of this war.
We now finish the book of Bamidbar, the Book of the Desert.
And we always conclude on a hopeful note as we end the Torah reading by exclaiming aloud, Chazak, Chazak, vNischazek.
Be Strong, Be Strong, so we can strengthen each other.
It is only when we learn from another and regard one another despite our differences, that we can join hands and forge forward.
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!