Searching

There is a Talmudic ruling, accepted as the halachah (final legal decision), that if one is lost in the wilderness, and does not know when is Shabbat, he should do the following: If absolutely no idea, count six days, and make the seventh Shabbat. If one knows for sure that a certain number of days have passed (e.g., either three or four) since the last Shabbat, one takes the minimum, and counts the maximum number of days, to ensure that he has six weekdays. before Shabbat. However, since one isn't really SURE if he has the right day or not, don't do any labor on the other days that is not essential for survival. And since his Shabbat is doubtful anything necessary for survival may be done. The Talmud asks, so what's the difference (since all the days only life-preserving labors may be done, including his Shabbat.) Answer: To make kiddush (the prayer said over wine to consecrate Shabbat at its arrival) and havdalah (the prAyer said over wine sanctifying Shabbat at its conclusion). When one gets back to civilization, and finds out when Shabbat really is, he abandons his "emergency" Shabbat and rejoins the rest of the people in G-d's Shabbat. Rabbi Natan (student of Rabbi Nachman) interprets as follows: It is very difficult to discern Truth. There are many leaders who tech different approaches. We are "lost in the wilderness". What should we do? Find that spiritual leader closest to what appears to be the real interpretation of Torah. But since we really don't know who is right, or at least right for us, don't disparage others (Obviously provided that they, too, are guided by Torah), and don't be fanatic about your own leader either. So what's the difference? To "sanctify", to have someone to give you guidance, even if it's not the "ultimate". We can't spend our lives waiting for the ideal teacher. But, once we do find him, we attach ourselves to him. In the days of Moses, there were many great people among the Israelites. But only one Moses. Rabbi Nachman taught that a teacher is like a rubber stamp; best read when imprinted on something else. If a leader's students are righteous, kind, learned, living Torah and Mitzvot, we have the right address.  A blessed, meaningful search for all!