Parshas Bechukosai
The Tochacha includes the horrific scenario of parents being reduced to
eating the flesh of their own children. (26:29) The Chizkuni on this pasuk
explains that it refers to parents who, for their own financial gain,
permit their children to marry into families of dubious moral quality.
The Midrash relates the story of a woman who gave away her last morsel of
food in order to offer comfort to her neighbor whose child had died. Now
that the comforter had given away her last provisions, her own child died
of hunger, too. (Eichah Rabbah 4:13)
The Chizkuni is describing parents who focus on financial well-being at
the expense of their children. Sometimes this is even rationalized by
being couched in terms of enhancing the quality of the family's life and
security.
The Midrash adds the dimension of parents who focus on communal or their
own spiritual matters at the expense of their children. This, too, is
easily rationalized.
Both examples involve lack of appreciation for how our daily living is to
be prioritized. By properly addressing these priorities we are able to
thrive as intended and there is no need for the Tochacha to be realized.
[This is based on a shiur of Horav Yochanan Zweig, Shlita.]
Gal Einai, Copyright © 2006 by Gedalia Litke and Torah.org
