A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov on Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series.
Parshas Ki Savo
Lofty Aspirations
Following the ghastly klalos of the tochacha Moshe Rabenu reassures Klal Yisrael of their eternity. He inspires them by reminding them of Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s care and concern for us as He took us out of Mitzrayim. He then adds an enigmatic phrase. As Moshe declares in (29:3), “Velo nasan Hashem lachem lev ladaas veanayim leros veaznayim leshmoa ad hayom hazeh”.
Essentially, Moshe declares that until that moment in time Klal Yisrael had not borne witness or confirmed their commitment to Torah and the ability to appreciate the chessed of the Ribono Shel Olam until that very moment.
This is a puzzling refrain. We had said naaseh venishma forty years earlier. Moreover, we had followed the ananei hakavod and the nightly pillar of fire in the midbar for forty years. We had experienced matan Torah, seen wondrous miracles and readied ourselves to enter in Eretz Yisroel. Could it be that only now, just days before Moshe Rabenu’s death that Klal Yisrael was acknowledged for their acceptance of their commitments to Torah, avoda and gemilus chassadim? Is it really true that ad hayom hazeh Klal Yisrael was deficient in their appreciation of Hashem?
Rashi too is bothered by this perplexing statement and provides us an insight that is amazing. Rashi teaches us his mesorah, that on that day, Moshe Rabeinu wrote the “official” copy of the Torah. This original text was entrusted to Shevet Levi who were to safeguard it for eternity as it would serve as the original document in which all of the sifrei Torah in the future would be redacted. When klal Yisrael observed that this original Torah was being given to Shevet Levi they complained to Moshe how can you give the Torah only to your shevet, it is a morasha to us too? When Moshe Rabbeinu heard that klal Yisrael was complaining that somebody else was receiving the Torah he rejoiced and said “now I realize that you truly desire to serve Hashem”.
We learn from here a valuable lesson. So much of who we are and what defines us is determined by what we aspire for. Even more telling is what makes us jealous and the things we covet in others. When klal Yisrael coveted Torah, Moshe Rabeinu knew that’s what defined us.
The same is true with us today. If all we seek is wealth, fame and fortune then that defines what we are. But if our drive and commitment is for Torah and mitzvos, if in fact we want to grow and become even closer to Hakadosh Baruch Hu then that defines us too.
Yehi ratzon that we be blessed sheyimalei mishalos lebaynu letova as we want the right things and they become us, as we become them for a year filled with health, happiness and joy.
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