Parshas VA'ESCHANAN
PRECIOUS JEWELS
Rabbi Pinchas Avruch
After extensive narrative proclaiming the consequences of Israel's
abandonment of G-d and the great blessings that come from faithful adherence
to His commandments, Moshe took the initiative to set an example for the
nation by performing a mitzvah of significance. He set aside the three
cities of refuge on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. These cities,
operated by members of the shevet (tribe) of Levi, were designated as refuge
for an accidental murderer, to ensure his safety from a vengeful family
member. These three were designated in the recently captured lands of the
Amorite kings, and three corresponding cities would eventually be set up in
the Land of Israel after its capture under Yehoshua's (Joshua's) leadership.
It is somewhat perplexing why Moshe took the initiative to begin an exercise
he could not complete. He knew that he was not going to enter the Land of
Israel, and the legal status and effectiveness of the cities of refuge only
took affect when ALL SIX were established. The three that he allocated were
useless until the Holy Land was captured. There was no chance that he would
see this mitzvah (divine command) to its fruition. Why start it?
Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki; 1040-1105; his commentary on Torah and Talmud
are considered essential to the basic understanding of the text) quotes the
Talmudic answer from Tractate Makkos (10a; this tractate discusses the laws
of the cities of refuge) that quotes Moshe's axiom: any mitzvah which I can
in any way achieve I will achieve. The Chofetz Chaim (Rabbi Yisrael Meir
HaKohen Kagan of Radin; 1838-1933; author of basic works in Jewish law,
philosophy and ethics and renowned for his saintly qualities) expounds that
this is akin to the maxim found in the ethics classic Avos d'Rebbi Nosson
(ch. 27): Rabbi Yochanan son of Dehavai said, "Do not distance yourself from
mitzvos that have no end or from Torah study that has no completion."
Rabbi Kagan explains that the yetzer hara (internal desire to act contrary
to G-d's will; in many experiences it is the side of the internal tug-of-war
that pulls us to do what we know we should not) uses this argument to entice
us not to study and fulfill the mitzvos of Lashon Hara (slanderous speech),
an area of observance in which we redouble our efforts around Tisha B'Av
since Lashon Hara and the hatred it generates are primary among the reasons
for the destruction of the Bais HaMikdash (Holy Temple, in Jerusalem) 2000
years ago and our continued exile today. The yetzer hara asks us, "What is
the purpose in studying and toiling in this area? Are you really going to be
able to fulfill this mitzvah to its end and control EVERY word that leaves
your lips? Better not to involve yourself in such an exercise that is
boundless in time and scope." Rabbi Yochanan's brief teaching repudiates
this foolish argument. The Chofetz Chaim compares this to one who is walking
along the shore and notices a quantity of precious gems that washed up on
the sand, slowly being drawn back into the sea by the tide. Would any
rational person say, "I cannot collect all of the jewels, so I will not
bother to collect any of them"? Is it not worth the investment of the
fleeting hour or two to gather as many as possible?
Rabbi Kagan concludes that this is the same attitude alluded to in the
tenet: If you seek it as silver and search for it as buried treasure, then
you will understand fear of G-d (Mishlei/Proverbs 2:4). In our lifelong
journey toward achieving a "G-d consciousness" the key is maintaining the
approach we would have in a search for silver and buried treasure. We may
not be able to collect every piece before it washes out to sea, but whatever
we can get our hands on is priceless!
Have a good Shabbos!
Please forward your questions for Rabbi Avruch to
RabbiAvruch@MilwaukeeKollel.org
Copyright © 2002 by Rabbi Pinchas Avruch and Project Genesis, Inc.
Kol HaKollel is a publication of the Milwaukee Kollel Center for Jewish
Studies 5007 West Keefe Avenue; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 414-447-7999
