There is much to learn from the honey bees.
Returning from my early Morning Prayer and meditation, I was invited to watch an eviction.
This was no ordinary eviction.
Bees had hijacked my friend's home.
I quickly learned that there are many ways to remove a beehive and I would witness a caring and organic approach as the bees were relocated to a safe habitat.
Living between the mountains and the sea, we Malibu residents feel that we are closer to nature than others. We are able to witness on a daily basis the wondrous way how G-d takes care of the needs of all his creatures. Often, as I marvel at where we live, I also reflect on the paradox; that nature's imperfections are perfect. There is a Master Plan, and it doesn't involve government zoning.
My parents and teachers taught me about the Baal Shemtov. His stories convey important life messages. He taught us to observe the world from the perspective that everything we see and hear is a personal lesson for us. Reflecting on my tradition, I pondered about the journey of these honey bees.
The honey bee is not usually a stinger, and only uses its natural weapon if it perceives the hive is threatened. Imagine the job of being a sentry without a break. Rather than guarding a mundane warehouse, the bee is part of the beauty of nature. The bee is a steward, a messenger and a creator of sorts with the power of renewal.
Perhaps you are familiar with the kosher dietary laws. The general rule is that a food product derived from a non-kosher source is not kosher. The bees are an exception because honey consists of nectar, which bees gather, store and transport to their honeycombs. But the bee actually does not digest it and the honey is not a product of the bee itself. So although the bee is not kosher, the honey is.
There is so much we can learn from nature, including a special lesson from bees. When we bring unity between people, we become like bees who deliver "renewal." In our quest to unify our spirit to bring beauty to our planet, we are like bees on a mission. Indeed, as we try to do well, we may be obliged to deliver "stings," even to those we love most. Yet, as the saying goes, honey goes a long way.
"Reprove not a scorner lest he hate you; reprove a wise man and he will love you" - Proverbs: 9-8
There are many ways to teach a lesson to someone we love.
A Chassidic pious man once had to strictly reprimand his child. Immediately after, the father went to his room and shut the door. The small child followed and remained outside the room, where he heard his father break out in a deep cry. When he later asked his father why he was crying, his father responded, "Son, if you would only know how much pain I feel when I am forced to rebuke you."
Often, a parent or relative, friend or teacher, colleague or employer, may deliver a harsh message and nothing more. But we know, intuitively, and surely by experience, whether we are giving the sting or we are on the receiving end, that it's so important to show light at the end of the tunnel. Words from the heart enter the heart.
You will be surprised, or perhaps you will not, that when you follow your reprimand with kind words, your criticism becomes "constructive." This is a lesson we learned long ago, but we sometimes forget it, so we must re-learn it.
Thank you Tim and Tom from Queen Bee Removal for being such great teachers.
Have a honey-filled weekend!
I welcome your thoughts and insights in the comment section below and at my email, [email protected]