Parshat
Devarim (Shabbat Chazon)
6 Av 5767
July 21, 2007
Daf Yomi: Yevamos 79
Guest
Rabbi:
Rabbi Dr. Aaron Adler
Young Israel Council of Rabbis in Israel
The final
Book of the Torah, Dvarim, enjoys a unique position amongst all
of the five Books, not only for being the finale, but also due
to its dual character. On the one hand, D’varim is the natural
continuum of the travels of our people from Egypt to the
Promised Land. However, the distinct style and message of this
final Book, vis-à-vis the first four Books, lends credibility to
the assertion that a major transition has indeed transpired in
the future destiny of our people.
Moshe, in
his parting five-week speech (Rosh Chodesh Shevat – 7th Adar) to
the new generation, summarily reviews the ups and downs of the
past forty years. Interestingly enough, the very reason cited
in D’varim 1:37 for Moshe being refused entry into Eretz Yisrael
is the tragic Meraglim episode (and not as reported in Bamidbar
20:12). Many commentators have reflected upon the refusal of
that Exodus generation – privy to multitudes of supernatural
miracles – to assume upon itself the very responsibilities of
natural mundane existence in the Land of Israel. The desert
existence appeared to provide for spiritual bliss. Livelihood,
clothing, and shelter were all Divinely attended to (not
without, one may add, a fair share of complaints!). The daily
agenda revolved around Torah study and spiritual pursuits only,
thus lending a feeling of Messianic times in formation. The
Meraglim episode crystallized the fear that the very entry into
the Promised Land would, in effect, be a retreat from the
spiritual heights attained in the desert. The colossal error of
that desert generation lay in the outright rejection of a basic
Judaic truth that ultimate spiritual attainment demands the
hallowing and sanctification of the very material world, and
certainly not by rejecting it. Entry into Eretz Yisrael,
bringing along all the challenges of self-rule (including
matters of State, military, agriculture, commerce, construction,
and social development) would constitute the climactic
conclusion to the drama of the Exodus, never to be confused with
a spiritual withdrawal of sorts.
The failure
of the people was interpreted by Moshe as a personal failure as
a leader. Hence, Moshe goes down with that condemned desert
generation having surrendered both mantle and mandate of
leadership. And, it all fell apart on that ill-fated day of
tragedies, Tisha B’Av.
HaRav J.B.
Soloveitchik Z”l, once explained that in constrast to private
mourning, where the Halacha prohibits a mourner in Sheloshim to
marry, the Halacha does, nevertheless, allow for the Kiddushin
act to take place on Tisha B’Av ! The Rav went on to clarify
that experiencing a private loss leads to despair and total
loss. Thereby one cannot possibly concentrate on the idea of
raising a future generation. However, in case of Knesset
Yisrael, the loss of Bet HaMikdash is merely temporal.
Therefore, even on that very day of Tisha B’Av, one can
entertain the possibility of a brighter future.
And so,
Moshe, standing at the threshold of Eretz Yisrael,
optimistically challenges the younger generation with the vision
of D’varim – a vision guaranteeing our future destiny. This
vision is amplified by the Haftarah of Hazon – the vision of
Isaiah indicating the restoration of the judiciary. Our Sages
have taught (Megillah 17b), based on the sequential order of the
daily Amidah, that the fulfillment of this particular prophecy
is predicated upon the realization of agricultural
rehabilitation of the land, coupled with a full expression of
the ingathering of the exiles (including American Jews!).
Shabbat
Chazon should not only prepare ourselves for properly
experiencing the Churban, but most importantly it ought to guide
us to the great Chazon – the vision of D’varim – in educating
and directing the next generation to fully assume both the
mantle and mandate of reclaiming the land, in order to provide
for a suitable “lower Yerushalayim” housing the “upper
Yerushalayim” as we usher in the era of Geulah Shleimah!
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