Like Father Like Son (Not Exactly) (Naso 5775)

Sometimes when we look in the mirror we see ourselves looking just like our parents or we catch ourselves acting just like one of them. But at other times not. 

How can both be true?  There is a clue in this week's Torah portion, Naso. The Torah describes in repetitive detail the nature of each tribe's offering for the dedication of the wilderness altar. 

The Torah is repetitive and seemingly redundant in that each tribe's offering included the same things - measure for measure - as the other tribes.  There seems to be a lesson in Torah abandoning its typically efficient language to repeat the list of offering materials twelve times instead of just once. 

One lesson may be that even one's actions that look identical to another person's actions, could be different if one person's motivation animating those actions are different from another person's.  In other words, conduct animated by one motivation is different than the same conduct if animated by another motivation. 

Another lesson may be that things that look the same are often different.  The Jewish tradition recognizes the power of individual motivations to transform actions.  For example, Proverbs 22:6 teaches, "Teach a student according to his
(or her) path" as distinguished from the path of another person.  This passage implores educators and mentors to understand the path selected by each individual learner.  Even when a teacher gives every student the "same" assignment, each student's learning will be informed and deeply influenced  by that student's unique path of life.  

This is also illustrated by the Chasidic tale told in the name of Rav Noach of Lokhvytsia (in the Ukraine). Rav Noach followed his father in the post of community rabbi.  Rav Noach's father set the bar high; he was a tough act to follow. Like father, like son . . . not really.  Townspeople even asked Rav Noach, "Why don't you act more like your father?!?"  He replied, "I do act like my father.  He did not imitate anybody and I do not imitate anybody!" 

In the week ahead may we each have the strength to be our true selves and the wisdom to find the unique path of life that only we can follow.