I’m leaving on a jet plane…
✈️ 
This coming weekend is the Bar Mitzva of a grandson in Chicago. 
We are looking forward to this special occasion, especially because this is a very special young man. 
This grandson has some special needs and is a source of much pride to his parents. 
One of his superpowers is that he is extremely observant. He notices everything about another’s behavior to the degree that he can imitate that person perfectly. 
He sees the big picture. 
As I head out on an airplane soon , I wonder what I may learn and observe on the journey. 
Will I see a glimpse of a bigger picture. 
Rabbi Weinreb of Cincinnati shared an experience he had on a recent flight. 
(I told you Rabbis always have airplane stories). 
His flight was proceeding without incident when the pilot came on and asked for attention. He then asked everyone to check underneath the seat to make sure the lifevest was in place. If it was missing, the pilot asked passengers to immediately notify a flight attendant. 
That was the extent of the announcement. 
Rabbi Weinreb admits that this announcement shook him up. He reached under the seat to ensure the lifevest was there and then he reached for his Tehillim, Psalms, and began to fervently pray for a safe landing. 
While the Rabbi was getting more and more nervous and concerned, he noticed the flight crew seemed relaxed and unconcerned. 
He was highly confused. 
After some anxiety ridden moments passed he inquired of a flight attendant. 
She asked him if he found the lifevest and when he answered in the affirmative the flight attendant merely told him to return it to its proper place. 
Thoroughly confused the Rabbi asked the flight attendant what was the nature of the emergency. 
No emergency at all. 
Turned out that when the flight took off a number of vests had rolled to the back of the plane. They were just trying to figure out which seats were missing life vests. 
Rabbi Weinreb realized that this is what life is all about. 

We see things from such a small perspective, we evaluate everything from where we sit. 
“And from where we sit it can feel frightening, overwhelming and even catastrophic. But we are reacting from one seat on the plane.”
If we could only see the whole picture, we would realize there is so much more to the story we don’t yet see. 
This week’s Torah portion is called Korach. It is the name of Moshe’s cousin who incites a rebellion against Moses. He felt that Moshe was unfairly chosen to be the leader, after all he too came from similar stock. He felt that Aaron’s position as High Priest was also due to nepotism. In other words, from where he sat, nothing was fair. 
Korach was not a nebach. 
(Unfortunate one in Yiddish, really not any sufficiently good definition.)
He had money, power, family. 
He had it all. 
But from his perspective - it wasn’t good enough. 
It simply wasn’t enough. 
And because of his skewed perspective he began a rebellion that ended very badly. 
Gd was so angered by this inappropriate behavior that Gd literally opened up the earth and swallowed Korach and his followers alive. 
This miracle was enacted to make sure there would be no question of Moses’ leadership and the fact it was endorsed by Gd. 
Rabbi Miller said Korach opened his mouth with vitriol and in kind, the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed him alive. 
If Korach would have taken a moment to be observant, he would have made the proper assessment regarding Moshe who was the “most humble of men” and would not have hurled any accusations. 
If he would have observed his own situation with gratitude, he would not have been swallowed up by pride and envy. 
There is a beautiful poem written by the mom of a special needs child entitled Welcome to Holland by Emily Perl Kingsley. She talk about expecting to journey to one country and ends up in another. And the sights she now sees are gorgeous, “after you catch your breath, you look around”. 
Life is a journey on an airplane. We may think we are going to one destination, but we may be diverted. 
And if we observe carefully, we may be surprised that this unexpected change takes us to a place of beauty where there will be tulips and windmills and even Rembrandts. 
And if we choose to embrace those sights knowing that the plane is piloted by Gd, we can sit back, relax and enjoy the view. 
Tell me what you learn in you journey!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!