TOCHACHA PERSPECTIVES

 

The story is told, that before the Shabbos of BeChukosai- wherein is the first of two Tochachos (severe admonishments) in the Torah- the Ba’alei Batim of a certain Shule were all terrified of being called up for the Aliya of the actual Tochacha.  What to do?  They directly called a Board Meeting, and decided that the best course to take, was to hire someone for a specific fee to take that particular Aliya.  Tracking down this individual who would take the ‘dreaded’ Aliya, proved to be somewhat harder of a chore than expected.  But, in the end, a candidate was found and engaged.

 

On the Shabbos of BeChukosai, the Torah was read in the Shule of our Ba’alei Batim- up to the Aliya of the Tochacha.  The Gabbai now looked around for the contracted individual- to call him for the Aliya.  But, this individual was nowhere to be found in the Shule. 

 

“Perhaps he’s simply late,” suggested one of the Ba’alei Batim, “let’s wait a few minutes for him.”

 

They sat for about a quarter of an hour, getting more and more impatient by the minute.  After all, this was not proper.  An agreement had been made.  Money had been paid.  Where was he?

 

Nevertheless, before things got out of hand, the contracted individual entered the Shule.  Directly, the Ba’alei Batim ran to him and demanded to know the reason for his tardiness.

 

The individual calmly turned to the angry group, and replied, “I was Davening in the Shule down the block.  Do you actually think one can make a living from only one Tochacha?”

 

The Chafetz Chayim once noted (‘Al HaTorah’) that when it came to the reading in Shule of the Tochacha, certain individuals would run outside.  As well, there were Shules in which the Ba’al Koreh would read the Tochacha by swallowing each word, and not projecting his voice.  In both cases, the Krias HaTorah remains unheard- and this is incorrect.

 

This is analogous, instructs the Chafetz Chayim, to one who is warned not to take a certain road.  For that road is filled with obstacles and dangers- thorns, thistles, wild animals, ambushing thieves, etc.  Now then, not only does this person not listen to one word of advice and takes this particular road, he also closes his eyes to all the dangers thereon.  Does he not place himself in even greater danger?

 

In Mishlei (3:11), Shlomo HaMelech stated, “My son, do not despise the admonishment of HaShem, and be not repulsed by His exhortations.”  And yet, there are those who ridiculously think that because they do not hear the words of the Tochacha, none of the punishments therein, will ever befall them.  They do not realize that by ‘covering their ears’ they do more damage to themselves than any good.

 

In the Birkas HaMazon, we recite, “May the Merciful One break our yolk from around our necks, and may He lead us upright into our land.”  This ‘yolk around our necks’ refers to the Galus Edom- the Roman Exile- which has now lasted for more than two millennium. 

 

Now, this particular Tefillah in Birkas HaMazon, is based upon one of the verses in the Tochacha of BeChukosai, wherein it states, “I am HaShem your G-d, Who has taken you out from the land of Egypt- from being slaves- and I have broken the poles of your yolk, and led you forth upright.”

 

Apparently, the ancient form of a plow consisted of a yolk, which was placed upon the beast- and poles, which were somehow connected to the yolk, and held from their other sides by the plowman.  In essence, when HaShem took us out of Mitzrayim, He broke the poles- not the yolks of those oppressing us.  In our ‘HaRachaman’ of Birkas HaMazon, we ask that He break the yolk- not the poles of our oppressors.  Now, if that ‘HaRachaman’ is based on the Tochacha Passuk, should the exact same language not be employed?  What is this business of yolks and poles?

 

The Av Bais Din of Yistrtz, Rav Shlomo Zalman Ulman of blessed memory, explained this query in the following manner.  In the ancient world of agriculture, when the plowing season had completed, the custom was for the plowman to break the plowing poles.  Perhaps, these poles were worn out from the plowing process.  Perhaps, this is the forerunner of burning the mortgage.  Who knows?  Nevertheless, when the plowing season returned, new poles were procured for the new season.

 

However, if the plowman was liquidating his land- selling it to go into another venture- not only would he break the poles after his last plowing season, he would break the yolk as well.

 

And so, when HaShem took us out of Mitzrayim, there were yet other Golios (exiles) that we had to endure- Bavel (Babylonia), Pawras  (Persia), Yavan (Greece), and more than two millennium of Galus Edom (Rome).  That is, only the poles were broken.

 

However, when we recite Birkas HaMazon, we supplicate HaShem to put an end to all Golios for His people- like the plowman who liquidates- breaking not only the plowing poles- but the yolks as well.

 

In the Tochacha of Vayikra 26:40-41, it states, “If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against Me, and that also they have walked contrary to Me.  And that I also have walked contrary to them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept of the punishment of their iniquity.”

 

Now then, ‘if they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers,’ why must they also be ‘brought into the land of their enemies’?  Vyduy (confessing to HaShem the sins one has committed) is a Mitzvah from  the Torah- a very good thing.  Why then, must punishment follow?

 

Rav Shimon Schwab of blessed memory, in his Sefer ‘Mai’ain Bais HaSho’aiva,’ explains this problem in the following way.  The Passuk states, ‘with their trespass which they trespassed against Me, and that also they have walked contrary to Me.’  Yes- they will confess to the actual Avairos they have committed, and also (Ve’Af) to those Avairos where they walked contrary (Keri).  The ‘and also’ implies that they will add on ‘by the way,’ a less sincere Vyduy when it comes to Avairos that were done in the manner of Keri- walking contrary.  For this then, they deserve to be punished.

 

Rav Shimon brings down Rav Shamshon Rafael Hirsch of blessed memory, who explains the term ‘Keri’ as something that seems circumstantial, incidental, random- something that seems to come about accidentally.  To imagine that anything in this world is not controlled directly by the hand of HaShem (Hashgacha Pratis) Chalila, is the foundation of every Avaira in the Torah.  For, when one feels that chaos and randomness are the universal order, what in his mind remains forbidden anymore? 

 

And so, teaches Rav Shamshon, there are those who do not recognize that everything is based on Hashgacha Pratis, and think of everything as Keri (coincidence).  HaShem treats these individuals in like manner.  When He provides their sustenance, it is in a way that seems accidental, with much infrequency in between.

 

Yet, the one who recognizes the hand of HaShem in all things- even though he cannot comprehend how HaShem works- is given his sustenance in no less than a miraculous way- in abundance and in an honorable fashion.

 

The Toldos Yitzchak instructs that the Berachos which precede the Tochacha begin with Alef (Im BeChukosai…), and end with Suf (…Komemius).  This is to signify that the reward for all the Mitzvos of the Torah- from Alef to Suf- is conditional upon the accomplishment of these Mitzvos.

 

However, the Kelalos (curses) of the Tochacha begin with Vov (V’Im Lo Sishmu Li…), and end with Hay (…B’Yad Moshe).  The Vov and Hay are only half the name of HaShem, which interestingly enough, signifies the verse from Tehillim (91:15), “…I will be with him in trouble…”  That is, even if G-d forbid, the Jewish nation must suffer the Kelalos of the Tochacha, HaShem metaphorically lessens His very own name, to show that He suffers with them.

 

This year when the Tochacha is being read in Shule, let no one leave to make an early Kiddush.  Let us make an attempt to listen carefully to each and every word.  And, let us understand the infinite love that HaShem has for His nation- may He bring about the Geulah Shelaimah speedily, and in our days.

Shabbat Shalom!

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