Parshas Devarim
by Rabbi Dovid Green
This week we begin Deuteronomy, the last of the five books of the Torah. In
this portion we learn how as the Jewish nation neared the Promised Land,
Moshe Rabeinu reviewed the nation's deeds and experiences during the years
in the wilderness. There they were, about to begin one of the most
incredible chapters in the existence of our nation. So why, we might ask,
was it necessary to look into that generation's past deeds at such an
auspicious moment? Wasn't this a time for looking toward the future?
We can better understand the need for taking stock by examining the
following parable:
A servant of a king, after many years of faithful service, was about to be
given a highly responsible position in the kings palace. He was even being
allowed to take up residency in the palace itself! The day for the servant
to move his possessions into his new royal quarters would soon approach. The
servant, was naturally elated and proud. The king asked his
second-in-command, to offer the royal resident-to-be some counseling. This
was out of kindness to the servant, to prepare him for the future and its
new demands. The advice came in the form of reviewing the servant's past
record over the years. The counselor not only reviewed the deeds of the
servant which had brought glory to the king, but also where he had fallen
short in his duties. Bringing reality down to earth during such a heady
moment in the servant's career would ensure that a sober attitude would
accompany his joy. This attitude would then be the catalyst towards his
successful serious service of the king.
So it was with the Jewish people. Moshe reviewed the past events during the
nation's sojourn in the desert, both positive and otherwise. Precisely
because of this review, they would be equipped with the best attitude for
the serious business at hand. Soon they would take up residence in the
"palace" of the Holy Land. This would bring with it the challenge of
fulfilling the many commandments which only apply when living there. They
would also be responsible for the many commandments connected to the
building of and service in the Holy Temple. Thus, taking stock of past deeds
was actually the wise advise of Moshe Rabeinu, the King's counselor to the
Jewish nation. Only a sober attitude would enable them to be successful in
their new position. They would experience the seriousness and the joy of
their upcoming service of G-d in the Holy Land. Moshe had helped prepare
their future in a practical way by examining their past record, not by
touting a fancy future, free of any awareness of the magnitude of their
responsibilities.
The Jewish concept of repentance hinges on this same idea. The sages say
that when the Torah uses the word "atah" (spelled with an ayin), meaning
"now", it refers to repentance. The underlying idea is that reflecting on
the past is for the purpose of improving the present and the future. The
focus is improvement. There is no room for depression or despair, as the
future looks bright in the light of the committment to improve.
The student of Torah knows that what comes along with his glorious status of
being a servant of G-d is the need for a serious attitude coupled with joy,
to strengthen him as he builds a foundation toward spiritual goals. May we
merit to see the culmination of our ultimate goal as a nation in the
recognition of G-d's majesty the world over. Good Shabbos.
