Seneca Loves Torah!
Parshat Balak
I Was Wrong –
IT IS SAID, THAT one of the hardest three words for a person to say is, “I was wrong”. The truth is, nobody wants to be wrong. Why is this? The reason is because it makes a person feel like a failure. That is why some of us have a midah that we can never be wrong, and no matter what the case may be we will twist around everything just because we don’twant to perhaps look like a fool, or be wrong. What should be?
We see that some of the greatest rewards were given to people that admitted their wrong doings. Such asַוַיֵּכר ְיהוָּדה ַויֹּאֶמר:''ָצְדָקהsaysפסוקYehuda,asthe mentions the great rewardסוטהinגמ'and theִמ ֶּמ ִני''that he received.
Therefore, it is certainly not considered any form of failure for one to admit their mistakes, rather it is a sign of strength and gadlus. We should respect a person that is willing to admit his mistakes and is not afraid to be proven wrong. In yiddishkiet it is the’.that we seek, not the ‘who is right or wrongאמת
"If you don't know what you're living for, you haven't yet lived.” – Rabbi Noah Weinberg, of blessed memory
Halachic Dilemma
Josh and Hannah were finishing up a water ski activity by the lake, when Hannah said she is going up to get ice water from Seneca Café. Josh asked Hannah if she could do him a favor and buy a soda for him from the vending machine, and gave her 6 quarters. Hannah got the water, put the coins in the machine, pushed the coke button, but then the machine vended 2 bottles instead of one. She immediately approached Ross who was there at the time and told him what happened. Ross told her not to worry about it and that she can keep the extra bottle as the camp owns the machines and the content. Hannah was thrilled and went back to Josh to tell him that now they can each enjoy a soda. Josh did not like the idea and demanded to get both bottles claiming that the money was his thus are the bottles. Hannah on her side claimed that the “free” bottle was only got via her efforts and her going to Ross about it.
Who is right?
Deep thought question – Was it OK for Ross to grant a free bottle to Hannah?