Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech
‘Parsha Growth Spurts’[1]
Rabbi Dani Staum
Parshas Netzovim-Vayelech 5773
“Hashem removed them from upon their soil… and He cast them to another land, as this very day.” (Devorim 29:27)
The letter lamed of the word “Vayashlichem – and He cast them” is larger than the rest of the letters.
Oznayim LaTorah explains that we were not sent into exile as a mere punishment. Rather, we have a responsibility in exile ‘lilamed – to teach’ the other nations. The gemara (Pesachim 87b) states that Hashem exiled the Jews among the nations so that righteous converts could join. Our mission in exile is to be an example of faith and morality to the entire world. The word ‘Vayishlichem’ can be read “V’yesh lachem lamed – You have a mission to teach”, i.e. to teach the world about the unity of Hashem.
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“See I have placed before you today the life and the good, and the death and the evil.” (Devorim 30:15)
In Eicha (3:38-39) Yirmiyah Hanavi said, “From the Mouth of the Most High One does not emerge evils or good. Of what shall a living man complain? A strong man for his sins!”
Rashi explains that one should never ascribe his suffering to chance, because from whom else but Hashem does good and evil emanate? Therefore, it is futile for man to complain about what has befallen him. Rather, he should attribute culpability to himself, a consequence of his own sins. Then he will scrutinize his ways and repent.
Rabbi Yaakov M’Lisa (Palgei Mayim) asks why the pasuk speaks about evils in plural form, but about good in singular form?
He explains that every person has free choice about every decision he makes throughout his life. Therefore, the pain and travails that a person suffers are not the result of a divinely ordained punishment, because no evil emerges from Hashem. Rather, it is the result of one’s own sins which create prosecuting angels who cause evil to occur to him. Therefore, the pasuk refers to ‘evils’ because they are not from Hashem, but from the many damaging angels one himself created. However, the good that occurs in the world is all divinely ordained, because Hashem is ‘good and does good to all’.
When one has merits Hashem protects him so that the prosecuting angels can not harm him. However, when one is overly engaged in sin Hashem merely removes His protection and allows the evil angels to do their bidding. Therefore, “Of what shall a living man complain? A strong man for his sins!” He should attribute his misfortunes to his own sins. Hashem is not the source of punishment, we are.
It is analogous to a person who acts in an imprudent fashion, such as drinking or smoking. Then, if chas v’shalom, his health begins to fail and he turns to Hashem and asks how this could have happened to him. The truth is that the person did it to himself. When we sin it also has an effect, even if we cannot realize it.
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“Now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to B’nei Yisroel, place it in their mouth…” (Devorim 31:19)
Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt’l (Derech Aggadah) relates that if a world-renown professor or doctor comes to visit a town, and it’s announced that he will be delivering a lecture on the intricate workings of his area of greatest expertise, most laymen would have little interest in attending. The common person realizes that without much background in that area he will probably have no idea what the lecturer is talking about.
However, if a great musician or conductor would arrive in a city to perform, even those who do not know the fine intricacies of music, may come to enjoy the music. They may not appreciate the depth and intricacy of the symphony, but they can still enjoy the music on their own level.
Hashem instructed Moshe to teach Torah to B’nei Yisroel as a song which can be ‘placed in their mouths’. The Torah should not be taught as a scholarly work which can only be studied by scholars. Rather, the Torah can and must be appreciated on all levels, like a melodious song which can move everyone. The Torah must be taught and transmitted in a manner in which it touches and reaches the heart of every Jew, whatever level he or she is on.
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[1] This series was originally written for and published in Hamodia.