What is said vs.what is meant

[Nesanel Cadle]

I'd like to preface this week's dvar torah by expressing what a privilege it was for my wife and I to see you earlier this week .
We are excited to be moving to Buffalo this Summer .
We are very appreciative of the warm welcome the community has extended to us.
I would like to extend special thanks and recognition to  the Rashkins , Alts , and to K.Sull for all that they are doing to make this move possible .
Your dedication to the Shul and the community is remarkable .

At the end of parshas behaloscha Miriam is punished for speaking ill of her brother , Moshe .
When Moshe appeals on her behalf , that Miriom not be punished, Hashem responds in what would seem a disturbing way .
God says to Moshe , it is appropriate Miriom stay embarrassed and contrite, since a daughter would certainly remain embarrassed for at least seven days , if her father "spit in her face".
I think to all of us , the imagery of a father spitting in his daughter's face is disturbing .
Rashi explains  that this is meant metaphorically . The expression used here , to spit in one's face , is used to express extreme displeasure , not saliva being used in an offensive way .

When I learned this Rashi it made me think about how often we get insulted and offended because of simple misunderstandings . All too frequently people are hurt , or cause others hurt ,because the words spoken were misunderstood .
I felt compelled to look in Rashi because I knew the passuk could not possibly mean to in any way validate a father spitting in his daughter's face.

It is so important that we make the same assumption when we interact with others .
Rarely does one want to offend or insult someone else , almost always the "offensive"words or actions are simply the result of a misunderstanding .

Have a great Shabbos,

Rabbi Cadle

P.S.On this subject , in case anyone was wondering , I do not intend to start every speech in yiddish . The beginning of my speech Sunday evening was a one time nod to , and acknowledgement of ,the shul's , (and Buffalo's ), Chassidic history .

Because of the audience present on Sunday , I mixed in much more Hebrew and Aramaic than I normally will . To the best of my ability , every speech I give will be suited to the audience .