Parshas Devarim
Choosing a Vision
The parsha of Dvarim traditionally precedes the saddest day of the Jewish
calendar, Tisha b’Av. There are many connections between the parsha and
the fast day but I feel that the main connection lies perhaps in the
word “dvarim” itself. The word means “words” and, as Rashi points out, the
nuance of the word in Hebrew is almost harsh. The words of Moshe in Dvarim
are stern and reprimanding. They are the bitter truth that people are so
loath to hear.
Soothing promises and vague commitments are much more popular and
acceptable to the public. The rabbis of the Midrash emphasize the
statement of Solomon that it is better to hear criticism from a true
friend than to hear flattery and compliments from an enemy. These are
words that are always to be remembered. The enemy that the Midrash refers
to is Bilaam and the friend is Moshe. The flattery of Bilaam led
eventually to thousands of deaths among the Jews. The words of Moshe have
preserved the Jewish people for countless generations. And this is the
story of Tisha b’Av and its connection to the parsha and the word “dvarim.”
The prophets of Israel, Yeshayahu, Yirmiyahu, Amos, Hoshea and others all
spoke harsh words to Israel and warned of the impending tragedy. The false
prophets who are always to be found in our midst retorted with soothing
words and lies that were sweet to the ears of the public. Thus, the
destruction of the Temple and Jewish sovereignty became inevitable. We
always prefer to hear sweet lies than to have to listen to harsh and
painful truths.
The haftorah of Shabat Dvorim is always the first chapter of Yeshayahu,
which begins with the Hebrew word “chazon.” In fact, the Shabat preceding
Tisha b’Av is always named Shabat Chazon after this first word of the
haftorah of parshat Dvarim. “Chazon” means vision, prophecy. Vision can be
positive or otherwise. A madman has a vision of world domination and the
extermination of other human beings. A righteous person has a vision of a
better, more peaceful, moral society. The great Chasidic masters stated
that a person is judged in heaven not only on what that person
accomplished and omitted to do but on the visions and goals that motivated
that person in this world.
It is not only what a person is, it is also important to realize what that
person wishes to be in order to be able to judge the person correctly.
Though “chazon” can many times indicate a negative or sad prophecy, the
word itself is a neutral one. One can choose whatever vision one wishes to
choose.
Therefore Yeshayahu chooses the word “chazon” to begin his book of
prophecy. What is the vision of the Jewish people? What kind of a nation
do they wish to be? This choice is particular and pertinent to individual
human beings as well. Hearing the words of Moshe and of Dvarim can be of
immense help to us in deciding what our “chazon” – national and
individual, should be.
Shabat shalom.
Tzom kal.
Rabbi Berel Wein
