The Summer has come to an end and new adventures await many as they return to their homes, school and work. Many will discover treasures that they did not know they had….

There once was a poor man. He worked everyday from sun up to sun down, but no matter how hard he worked, he could not earn enough to support his family. One night he dreamed that there was a great treasure under a bridge in a faraway village. In the morning he told his wife of his dream and she said that maybe this was a good sign and that he should travel to the faraway village.

He traveled to the faraway village and stood near the bridge, and watched as people walked across the bridge. Towards evening the traffic on the bridge had slowed to nothing. So the poor man decided to go and get the treasure.

As he stepped onto the bridge he saw an officer coming from the opposite side. The poor man decided that no matter what he would tell the truth. The officer passed by and asked,

“I see that you are a stranger here, What is your business?”

The man decided that it would be best to tell the whole story and ask for help, hoping that [the officer] would share the treasure with him. He told the officer the entire story.

The officer replied,

“A poor person is concerned only with dreams! I also had a dream. In my dream I saw an old house with a red door and the window on the right was cracked. Inside the house was a woman and children crying because they had no food. Now in this house is an old iron stove and behind the stove there is a hole and in the hole there is a treasure. On top of the stove there is a beaten copper kettle.”

In relating his dream, the officer accurately described the poor man’s house. He rushed home, and tried to push the iron stove, but he couldfn’t. He called his wife and they both pushed and pushed and were only able to push the stove a little. The children joined and soon the stove was pushed away from the wall and sure enough there was a hole in the wall and it was filled with golden coins.

The poor man noted, “Now I know that I had the treasure all along. But in order to find it, I had to travel to the faraway village.”

The same is true in serving the Holy One, Blessed be He. Each person has the treasure, but in order to find it, he must travel to a teacher or guide.

May all your stories end with shalom (peace)

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Philmont is a place of wonder and many questions. As many come off their treks, they speak of truly spiritual experiences they experienced on the trail and wonder why they never had those feelings of encounters before. To answer this, we must ask:

What is the first question in the Bible?

Before humanity was created, there were no questions. The first question occurs in the garden of Eden. Adam and Eve have just eaten of the forbidden fruit and G-d calls out to them, “Ayecha?” “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9)

How can that be? Did G-d not know where Adam and Eve were? For centuries, the Jewish people have understood that this question has a deeper meaning. G-d is not seeking to locate Adam and Eve. That is why they do not answer, “We are over here!” Instead, it is a question of spirituality. Adam (the man), under­standing the importance of G-d’s question, answers that he was frightened, so he has been hiding.

That question is not only the first question; it is also the eternal question. At each moment in our lives, this question is addressed to us:

Where are you? Where are you spiritually? Where are you morally? What have you done with your life, and what are you doing with it now? Are you proud of your conduct in the garden?

The first question is a single word, whose echoes are end­less. “Ayecha?”

Where are you?

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Never ask a storyteller a question without expecting a story for an answer. Recently a ranger was talking about the Wilderness Pledge, and then I remembered a story about a thoughtless act by many….

It was summertime, a time for relaxation, and for restoring one’s strength. A holy rabbi was spending some time with his son in the fields and forest outside their village. The two used to take long walks through the countryside, marveling at the beauty of G-d’s world. 

The fields were ripe with their golden harvest of wheat. The swollen sheaves swayed gently, promisingly, in the gentle breeze, swishing softly to and fro. It felt good to be alive! 

They walked along in silence, enjoying the peace of the area, suddenly the father turned to his son, saying,

“Just look at the marvel of nature! See how G-d has a plan and a purpose for every single stalk of wheat, every puff of wind, the swaying of each blade of grass. Everything is included in G-d’s overall master plan of creation! Is it not marvelous that One so exalted and mighty should consider every tiny, minute speck on this world?” 

They continued along the country road, breathing in the fresh air, each one silent with his own thoughts. Soon they came to a forest and continued walking leisurely among the trees. Engrossed in his thoughts, the boy absent-mindedly plucked a leaf off a branch. He held the leaf in his hand and from time to time would unconsciously tear off a bit and throw it away. 

His father noticed what he was doing and commented:

“I don’t understand how you can do something destructive like that without thinking. Don’t you know that even a leaf is part of creation, that it has its purpose? Did I not just tell you how G-d guides the destiny of every tiny thing, even a leaf? Don’t you realize that a leaf is also a living thing; it breathes and grows. Why is the ‘I’ of a leaf any different than the ‘I’ of a human being? To be sure, you can think and speak while it is only a plant. Still, just as you, a human being, have a task to fill in this world, so does this leaf have a purpose to accomplish during its lifetime on this world.” 

It is important to remember that “when G-d created the first human beings, He led them around the Garden of Eden and said: “Look at my works! See how beautiful they are. How Excellent! For your sake, I created them all. See to it that you do not spoil and destroy My world: for, if you do, there will be no one else to repair it.

(Kohelles Rabbah on 7:13)

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Ira, a Jewish Advisor, came in 2007 with his crew for a Cavalcade with their  to have the adventure of a lifetime. They found more adventure than they expected on Baldy Mountain that Sunday as lightning struck and everything went crazy. 

The voice of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; the lightning lighted up the world, the earth trembled and shook” (Ps. 77:19). 

They returned in 2009 full of hope and ready for a new adventure of a lifetime in a Cavalcade. They climbed Baldy and rejoiced in the beauty of Philmont. 

We visited one another in the Miranda camp and renewed our friendship and spoke of some things. When people meet and share, thoughts and actions of charity grow. This causes a healing in the world.

 As lightning springs out of its concealment in dark clouds to flash through the world, so the divine light, imbedded in matter, emerges through charitable deeds….Thus through charity, a sort of divine revelation occurs in the soul.

Seder Teffillos

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Another Shabbos has passed here at Philmont. This evening, I again had a minyan at services (that maked 16 in the last 3 weeks). This is amazing in that there has been more Jewish Scouts at Philmont this year than in the previous two years.

Kosher food, daily services, a “Shabbos Friendly” campwith an eruv and an portable eruv has made Philmont inviting to Jewish treks. It is such a pleasure to have so many Jewish Scouts coming to Philmont for the adventure of a lifetime.

We are taught:

Nine tzaddikim do not make a minyan, but one simple everyday Jewish person, joining them, completes the minyan. Truly. “in the multidue of people is the king’s glory” (Proverbs 14:28)

R’ Nachman of Breslov, Meshibas Nefesh

Sharing a Shabbat meal with Jewish Scouts and Philmont Staff each week has created a warm family atmosphere where one can freely share, learn and grow.

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Here at Philmont it is easy to see the blessings of the Holy One, blessed be He in everything around. Each sight is beautiful, the sounds soothing and each creature leads one to remember the greatness and majesty of creation.

Nothing is without meaning and everything is filled with prayers and blessings. Today a bird came to the Rose (Shoshanah) and shared with her a secret:

We learn in Berachos 56b that R. Chanan said: Three kinds of dreams symbolize peace, namely, a dream about a river, a bird, and a pot. A river, because it says, “I will extend to her prosperity like a stream” (Isaiah 66:12). A bird, because it says, “Like the birds that fly, so will the God of Hosts protect Jerusalem” (Isaiah 31:5). A pot, for it says, “God will ordain peace for us” (Isaiah 26:12). [Tishpot, "ordain," also means putting a pot on a fire].

A pot brimming with food symbolizes domestic peace; a meandering river signifies tranquility within a country; a bird that flies unencumbered across all boundaries and borders represents global peace.

As we trek across the Ponil Creek, Rayado River and the Agua Fria may we find peace and tranquility in our homes.

As we share meals may we establish peace with our fellows and also the stranger.

As we watch the birds gliding through the air, may our prayers for world peace be borne upon their wings to the very gates of Heaven.

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This morning, I climbed up to Window Rock to conduct a sunrise service. As the trail led steadily upward the sun began to peak above the horizon, behind some clouds. My thoughts wandered and my heart grew light as I realized it was at this moment that the creation repeated itself.

Indeed I witnessed as it is written: “In the beginning…..” I prayed my personal prayers silently as I climbed upward. The words of the prayers came slowly as the beauty of the new day unfolded.

At the top of Window Rock, I was greeted by a Rayado Crew and began the service. Their eyes were all fixed, but soon became squints as the sun in all its glory flooded the rock and everyone felt the prayers and from each heart came a silent personal prayer.

May it be Your will Hashem to bring about love, brotherhood, peace and fellowship. Cause us to have many students to spread Your word; grant us long life and everything for which we hope; appoint our portion in Paradise. Establish for us good friends, and by a good impulse in this, Your world, that, when we rise, may we find daily our heart waiting to revere Your holy name; and let the satisfaction our soul’s desire be graciously granted by you.

Berachos 16b

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Here at Philmont, many people come each day to the Jewish Chapel, yet very few are Jewish. One may ask, why have a service if so few are Jewish? The answer is simple we all share many similar teachings and beliefs. We need to look beyond ourselves.

On tuesday we had 18 Jewish people at the Chapel. Just think a minyan and chai. What a brocha (Blessing)!

Two important questions are raised throughout Jewish history: What is our obligation to other Jewish people? What is our obligation to the world at large?

haRav Abraham Yitzchok Kook answers that the two cannot be addressed as separate matters: “Love for Israel implies the love for humanity.” Yet the choices of emphasis in one’s life are often complicated. At times of national distress we will focus on Jewish concerns. Great world issues will induce a more universal response. The role of the Jewish people in the history of the world is intricately intertwined. The Jewish people have always recognized, as the midrash teaches, that to drill a hole in one’s own side of the boat dooms the entire vessel.

Among the fowl deemed nonkosher in the Bible is a bird called the chasidah (Leviticus 11:19). Remarking on the strange name, Rashi writes that the name chasidah comes from chesed, “kindness.” Why kindness? Because this particular bird acts kindly toward its kin, but not towards any other.

The Kotzker rebbe asks, “If the chasidah is kind toward its kin, why is it unkosher?” His answer: “To be kosher, you have to be kind not only to your own kin but to all.”

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This past Shabbos was so special as so many staff at Philmont came to the Jewish Study to share the Shabbos meal. We shared food like challah and gefilte fish and had a delightful conversation. Some expressed that they find more spirituality in the outdoors than in religious school or in their respective houses of worship.

How many of the young people we come in contact through the various Scouting programs feel a disconnect with their beliefs and are looking for meaning. For this reason we need to provide a good Scouting experience for all Scouts. 

The outdoors holds a special place in our beliefs and these teachings are often lost amid a curriculum of prayer, holiday observances and Torah/Scripture study. Sometimes one gets very much overloaded and misses the warmth, beauty and love of being Jewish. 

Within the storm of questions and the natural curiosity of faith, one can many times find answers: 

THE FIERY FIRE 

Two men were walking through a forest as night fell.  One man was very wise and his name was Chacham.  The other man was very simple and learned with great difficulty and his name was Tam. 

As they walked down the path through the forest the sky grew dark and a storm began to brew.  Soon the quiet of the night was broken by the crash of thunder and the rain fell in torrents.  Lightning streaked the sky as the two travelers looked for shelter from the wind and rain. 

Suddenly the men heard the crackle of lightning and the roar of thunder and saw in the distance a bright light.  Tam stared at the light and was afraid.  Chacham began to work his way toward the light.  Tam, not wanting to be left alone, reluctantly followed Chacham.  As they blazed a new path toward the light the rain and wind stopped. 

Soon, Tam and Chacham were in a clearing walking toward a tree that was on fire.  Tam was afraid of the bright light and blazing fire.  He looked down to the ground and would not move.  Chacham went right up to the tree and looked into flames. 

Chacham went over to Tam and took him by the hand and led him to the burning tree.  Tam came very slowly, but Chacham was very insistent.  For Tam it was difficult, but he trusted Chacham. 

As they drew near the flames Tam felt the warmth and he began to listen to Chacham who started to tell him stories and teach him wisdom.  All night, Tam and Chacham stayed in the light and warmth of the blazing tree. 

For you see Chacham, understood that the burning tree could provide warmth and light.  Tam only knew the fire and the crashing thunder and was afraid. 

So it is that those who don’t understand and rely solely on what they see, they  are afraid of the unknown. 

The Torah is referred to as the etz chaim, the tree of life.  Those who embrace it, learning and live by its wisdom are not afraid of the darkness, storms, lightning or thunder. 

As scout’s we learn about ourselves, our community, the wonders of nature, and our beliefs.  Let us all grow in wisdom so one day we too can be called Chacham.

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