BeMidbar

Rabbi Noah Farkas received his simcha last weekend. He came to our congregation as a student rabbi after Hurricane Katrina had devestated the Mississippi Gulf Coast and heavily damaged our shul. The next weekend will be his last as our rabbi.

I still remember his first d'var Torah. It was BeMidbar. The Mississippi Gulf Coast was still in shambles. Many in our congregation were still rebuilding or repairing damaged homes. Some had to leave the area because they lost both their homes and their jobs. Thankfully, no one in our congregation lost their lives. Our shul could not be used and we continue to hold services at the meeting hall of a Methodist Church.

He first d'var Torah at Kabbalat Shabbat was on BeMidbar. He spoke of how we were in the wilderness. Our lives had been through an upheaval and the landscape was strange to our eyes. The future was uncertain. I don't remember the exact words he said. The message was clear though: We would climb out of this wilderness with the help of HaShem and each other.

While in the wilderness, Moshe had helpers. There was a tally. The tribes were organized around the Ark for camping and for marching through the wilderness. It was those efforts that made it possible for them to get through the wilderness. It is the co-operation and the faith of all involved that got them through.

It is this co-operation and belief which has gotten our congregation a good distance through the wilderness. Some who had to leave are now back. Our congregation has grown with new members who have moved to the area. Soon, please very soon, I'll be able to announce the groundbreaking for our new shul to be located in Gulfport.

Various Jewish youth groups have taken time to come down to help us rebuild our communities. Last weekend, a group came from Atlanta. Most said they were shocked at the desolation that still exists in many parts of cities such as Biloxi and Gulfport. I was taken aback by the comment. Though we have nade great progress, there are still many years left in the wilderness. The desolation is still apparant. The thing that has kept us going for 2 1/2 years, will keep us going for the next 7 1/2 years or however long it takes. Moshe and the whole of Israel were in the wilderness for 40 years.

The faith, tally, organization, and co-operation with one another kept them focused on where they were going. At times, they became disheartened. They presevered. They marched and camped with the Ark in their midst. After the long journey, they were finally out of the wilderness.

One day, we will be out of the wilderness as well.