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nd Aharon did so…” (Bamidbar 8:3)

Rashi quotes Sifrei (1:5), which cites this pasuk in praise of Aharon, pointing out that he didn’t change anything.

What kind of praise is this? Even a simple person knows that you can’t change Hashem’s commandments.

This can be compared to a mashal about three sick people. Each went to a specialist and received medication and instructions for treatment. The first did exactly what the specialist said and was cured.

The second knew a bit about medicine and researched the different prescriptions. What he recognized, he took, but he ignored the rest. He died from his illness.

The third patient was also knowledgeable in medicine and did some research. However, he differed from the second patient in that he listened to the doctor’s instructions, even when he didn’t completely understand them. This patient was also cured because he acknowledged that the specialist’s knowledge was greater than his. (The Dubno Maggid, Sefer Ohel Yaakov)

The small plaque read “Dr. Naomi Rosen — Medical Nutritionist.” The waiting room was mostly empty. I sat down opposite a woman with her nose in a book.

Glancing at my watch, I asked the other woman, “What time’s your appointment?” She looked up and I almost gasped. Her face was swollen, eyes almost hidden. I noticed that her hands and feet were also grotesquely swollen.

“My appointment’s now.” She marked the place in her book. “But don’t worry. I won’t be long.”

“You’ve been here before?”

“Been coming monthly for allergies.”

So that accounted for the misshapen features.

“Are you happy with this nutritionist?”

The woman shrugged irritably. “I’ve been to all types. Homeopathic, natural, medical — none of them know what they’re talking about. They say don’t do this, don’t eat that, but what’s the point? I can’t live like that!”

“So why do you come back?”

Again the shrug. “A person’s got to do hishtadlus, no?”

These three patients are compared to three types of shomrei mitzvos. There are those who keep all the mitzvos without looking for reasons. Others try to understand all the reasons for the mitzvos; they’re in great danger because they pick and choose which mitzvos to do, based on their understanding. The third group is composed of those whose yiras Hashem is greater than their quest for knowledge. They acknowledge Hashem’s greater wisdom and keep all the mitzvos, regardless of whether they understand them or not.

The office door opened and the woman shuffled slowly in for her appointment. I sat there gaping at her back. It should have been funny — showing up at a doctor for advice, then totally ignoring the recommendations offered. But somehow I couldn’t find the humor in it. This woman obviously needed help. Why go to a professional if you’re not going to listen?

It reminded me of a story I once heard of a couple who went to the rav for a psak in a shalom bayis issue. The rav listened carefully to both sides, then paskened in favor of the wife.

When the couple left, the husband turned to his wife. “The rav’s wrong. He didn’t understand the situation properly.”

Why go to a rav if you’re not going to listen to the answer?

Just like this was praise of Aharon, so too it’s a warning to us. While it’s praiseworthy to delve into understanding Hashem’s words, one’s at risk if his observance is based only on his understanding.

When it was my turn at the doctor, I was pleased that she seemed competent and asked pertinent questions. She printed a synopsis, then leaned over her desk to explain it to me.

“These are the types of food groups you should aim for and these are the ones you should avoid.” She paused, looked straight at me and added, “You may also want to reconsider how many cups of coffee you’re drinking daily.”

Bull’s-eye. That hurt.

“Is the coffee harming me?” I seriously wanted to wiggle out of this one.

“Not harming, but all that caffeine isn’t helpful. Why not switch over to decaf?”

I left the office with a printed document of good advice and a serious dilemma ahead of me. Maybe I could incorporate the rest of her nutrition suggestions, but ignore the little coffee jab?

Why go to the doctor if you’re not going to listen?

I sighed. My conscience can pipe up at the most inconvenient times. Time to buy stock in Sanka. (Originally featured in Family First, Issue 594)