One Small Step

At 10:56 p.m. ET on July 20, 1969, American astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface and famously declared, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Neil Armstrong's "one small step" was only possible because of years of research, billions of dollars in investment, and the tireless efforts of thousands of scientists, engineers, and experts working together toward a common goal.

Parents Kvell as they watch their children grow and mature. Yet behind every accomplishment are countless sleepless nights, the challenges of raising a family, the sacrifices they made, and the tremendous time, love, and resources they invested in helping their children become responsible, compassionate, successful, and devoted Yiddishe mentchen.

History is filled with stories of leaders who faced repeated setbacks before building great businesses, organizations, and movements.

Thomas Edison, one of history's most prolific inventors—holding more than 1,000 U.S. patents—was once told by a teacher that he was "too unintelligent to learn anything" and should pursue a profession that required less intelligence. Undeterred, Edison conducted more than 9,000 experiments before successfully inventing the practical light bulb.

Now that Apple is one of the world's most valuable companies, it's easy to forget that there was a time when the company stood on the brink of bankruptcy. Nearly thirty years ago, Apple was losing approximately $1 billion annually, and many believed its future was bleak. Everything changed when Steve Jobs returned, simplifying the company's focus and introducing revolutionary products such as the iMac, iPod, and eventually the iPhone.

Setbacks, failures, and challenges are often not obstacles to success—they are part of the journey toward it. Success rarely happens overnight. Rather, it is built through countless small steps, perseverance, and unwavering determination.

The Talmud teaches:

"If one says, 'I have labored but not succeeded,' do not believe him. If he says, 'I have not labored but I have succeeded,' do not believe him. But if he says, 'I have labored and I have succeeded,' believe him." (Megillah 6b)

Rabbi Akiva began his life as a simple, uneducated shepherd. One day he observed drops of water falling steadily onto a large rock. Over time, the constant dripping had carved a deep hole into the stone.

Rabbi Akiva reflected: If water, which is soft, can penetrate a hard rock through persistent effort, then surely the words of Torah can penetrate my heart.

That realization transformed his life. He immediately began studying Torah and ultimately became one of the greatest Jewish sages and leaders in history.

In this week's Torah portion, Matos-Maasei, we read about the forty-two journeys the Jewish people traveled through the wilderness after leaving Egypt on their way to the Promised Land.

As the Torah states:

"These are the journeys of the children of Israel who left the land of Egypt in their legions, under the leadership of Moses and Aaron." (Numbers 33:1)

At first glance, this wording seems puzzling. The Jewish people left Egypt only once. The remaining journeys took place after they had already departed Egypt. Why, then, does the Torah refer to the many "journeys" of leaving Egypt?

The answer lies in the deeper meaning of the word Mitzrayim. Besides referring to Egypt, Mitzrayim also means "boundaries," "constraints," or "limitations."

Spiritually, leaving Egypt represents an ongoing journey beyond the limitations that confine us—our habits, fears, assumptions, and ego. Each stage of growth reveals new opportunities and new challenges. What once felt expansive eventually becomes another limitation that we are called to transcend.

The journey out of Egypt is therefore not a single historical event but a lifelong process. Every stage of personal growth is another exodus from the "Egypt" of yesterday into the greater possibilities of tomorrow.

The Jewish people's arrival in the Promised Land did not happen overnight. It began with one journey at a time.

The Baal Shem Tov taught that these forty-two journeys also symbolize the spiritual journeys each of us undertakes throughout our lives.

Whether strengthening our relationships with family and friends, advancing in our careers, deepening our Jewish identity, or growing in our service of G-d, we can sometimes feel overwhelmed by how far we still have to go. Yet every journey begins with a single step.

Every mitzvah we perform, every moment devoted to Torah study, every act of kindness, and every effort to improve ourselves—no matter how small it may seem—connects us more deeply to our true identity, strengthens our relationship with G-d, enriches the lives of those around us, and brings us one step closer to our own "Promised Land."

The Torah's forty-two journeys also included many difficult moments: failures, complaints, hardships, and setbacks. This teaches us that challenges are not interruptions to our mission; they are often essential parts of it.

When our lives are directed toward sanctifying the material world and fulfilling our Divine purpose, even our setbacks become journeys. In retrospect, many of our greatest struggles become the very experiences that propel us toward growth, resilience, and the fulfillment of our mission.

This coming week we enter the period known as the Nine Days, a time of intensified mourning leading up to the fast of Tisha B'Av, when the Jewish people remember the destruction of both Holy Temples in Jerusalem and the many tragedies that have befallen our nation throughout history.

Since the destruction of the Temples, the Jewish people have lived in exile, longing for the rebuilding of the Third Temple in Jerusalm with the coming of Moshiach.

Yet exile has never been merely a story of loss.

The Talmud teaches:

"The Holy One, blessed be He, performed an act of kindness for Israel by dispersing them among the nations."

Although exile has brought immense suffering, it has also given the Jewish people the opportunity to serve as "a light unto the nations." Wherever Jews have settled, they have elevated their surroundings through Torah, mitzvot, acts of kindness, and moral leadership, helping prepare the world for the ultimate Redemption.

As we mourn what has been lost, we also continue to build what lies ahead.

Just as Neil Armstrong's historic first step was the culmination of years of preparation, and just as the Jewish people reached the Promised Land one journey at a time, so too every meaningful achievement in our own lives begins with one small step.

May each step we take bring us—and the entire world—closer to the ultimate redemption with the coming of Moshiach, speedily in our days.