“Choice Tidbits” from 10th Grade Chumash
We began this week by discussing the sin of the spies and, somehow, we found ourselves debating the meaning of בחירה חפשית, freedom of choice. We posed the question: If one chooses between vanilla and Rocky Road ice cream, is that an exercise of free will? Heath Crunch vs. pizza? What about pizza vs. a salad? If a rat in a maze chooses to run towards the water rather than the peanut butter, is that free choice? And what exactly is it that differentiates us from those rats? Is it our sophisticated and complex emotional state? Our capacity for rational thought? Come to think of it, what differentiates one human from another?
Coincidentally, Yehudah Alcabez, in his lecture on Substance Abuse, raised a similar issue for the girls. He showed them a picture of luscious chocolate cake with icing and then one of a
fresh salad sprinkled with nuts. Through these examples, he framed the major issue confronting those who are tempted to try
addictive substances. Should they choose what they desire, even though it is likely to result in a negative consequence, or do they follow the guidance of their minds and focus on what will lead to a positive result, even in the long run?
The girls suspected that I had heard the lecture before and they were right. Yehuda had addressed the SBTAG parents on Sunday evening, preparing them to continue the conversation that he was initiating with their daughters. He talked about peer pressure and the overwhelming need to fit in. He pointed out that this was not a teenage problem but a human one and children might be more inclined to listen to a parent who affirms that point. Choosing was certainly on my mind this week, but the girls were the ones who brought up the topic. Interestingly, our subsequent class discussion of the spies focused on the techniques that they used to produce a unified group mentality. The strength of Yehoshua and Calev was that they were able to remain true to their rational analysis, despite the intense pressure of their peers who outnumbered them.
I felt reassured by the passion with which the girls expressed their thoughts and, even more so, by the critical analysis that was apparent as they debated each other. They are developing the tools that will prepare them to be choosers and they are gaining the objectivity to make good choices.
ובחרת בחיים למען תחיה אתה וזרעיך (דברים ל, יט).
And you shall choose life, so that you will live, you and your offspring
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