The czar’s lesson

One nice day, the Russian czar decided to make a surprise visit to an army base somewhere in Russia. Dressed in civilian clothing, he trudged through the snow. When he finally reached the base, he found it neglected and empty. A Russian himself, the czar knew where to find his men: in the tavern.

Indeed, the tavern was full of soldiers making merry and drinking hard. The czar stood at the side, waiting.

Finally, about two hours later, one soldier stood up and reminded his comrades of their duties and how they better go back before the general would arrive to the base.

Hanging on each other for support and balance, the drunken soldiers began the mile-long trek “home”. Foot by foot, step by step, men were falling. What had begun as a group of two hundred soon dwindled down to a mere handful. And the czar didn’t do a thing.

About five feet before the gate, a soldier collapsed. The czar walked over to him and made a red mark on his neck. Two feet ahead, another soldier collapsed. Only three soldiers made it to the base.

The next day, the whole division was informed of an imminent inspection by the czar. The soldiers quickly got into high alert, cleaning and polishing. This was no joke.

The czar walked through the rows of soldiers, oblivious to the cleanliness and effort of his men. He was looking for something; he was after the mark.

And he saw it. He ran up to the soldier, raised his hand and slapped the lad over and over, mercilessly.

With the last ounce of his strength, the beaten soldier begged for an explanation. The czar replied that this was a consequence for him going to the bar.

The beaten soldier was at loss. “But, but…. Everyone else went!” he sputtered. “Besides, I deserve credit for making it so close to base.”

This is what the czar responded: “People are human; humans make mistakes. Am I upset that my soldiers left their posts? Yes, but I understand. However, when those drunken men fell to the floor, I watched how they fell with their head towards the base, proving their commitment, declaring that this is their home, the place where they want to be.

“You made it almost all the way, yet when you fell, you fell backwards, your head away from the base. Thus, your true loyalties were revealed.”

It’s now so much where you reach in life; it is where you are headed. Life is dynamic: it is action and motion, not a perfect state of being. We fail, yet we rise again, because at the end it is about how we go, not where we are headed. Hence the name of our Parsha, “Massei” – journeys. Forward.

Do something about it:

Map out your route and begin the journey in the right direction.