Chukat

Between Passion and Passivity

Rabbi Laura Duhan Kaplan

The great medieval Jewish philosopher Rabbi Moses Maimonides (a.k.a. Rambam), learned from the Greek philosopher Aristotle that good acts take the middle way between two extremes. In any situation, being too aggressive or too passive is the wrong choice. Maimonides believed that the Torah's stories were designed to teach this same ethical philosophy.

In Parshat Chukat, our teacher Moshe responds to the thirsty Israelite mob by shouting at them, "Hear now, you rebels! Are we to bring you forth water out of this rock?" and then hitting the rock. According to Maimonides, here Moshe does not find a middle way between anger and patience. He moves too far to the extreme of anger. In so doing, he does not follow the ethical system he is supposed to be teaching: gain enough self-awareness and self-control to always find the middle way between two extremes. This is why God says to Moshe "You did not believe in me, and you did not make me holy."

Maimonides believes that each of us can learn from this story about Moshe. Although we may not have two million people who need our help to fulfill their basic needs, everyone is connected in a network of relationships. Each decision that we make affects some people, and sets an example for others. In every situation, we can benefit from a "middle-way analysis," asking: What would be the most passionate response? What would be the most passive response? What response, somewhere between the two extremes, would bring about the most beneficial outcome for all?

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