Last Shabbos we read from Parshas Netzavim. This Parsha is very appropriate as we enter the Yom HaDin because it reiterates God's covenant with us and the oath He forged with to us to establish us as His people. Early in the Parsha the following admonishment is given to one who would turn away from God.וְהָיָה בְּשָׁמְעוֹ אֶת דִּבְרֵי הָאָלָה הַזּאת וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ בִּלְבָבוֹ לֵאמר שָׁלוֹם יִהְיֶה לִּי כִּי בִּשְׁרִרוּת לִבִּי אֵלֵךְ לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה אֶת הַצְּמֵאָה
"When he hears the words of this curse, and will in his heart bless himself, saying, "Peace will be with me as I will go where my heart leads me," thereby…the drunk be added to the thirsty.
Rashi explains this last phrase. God will add punishment to what he did unintentionally until now . God would have overlooked these unintentional acts, but with this attitude he causes God to consider everything as though it were done intentionally. Therefore He will extract due ‘payment’ for all.
The Pasuk in essence describes an attitude which is the opposite of Teshuva and what will result from it.
The Ksav Sofer has an interesting interpretation of this Pasuk. He says that it refers to people whose actions are based solely on man’s interface with man…the Bein Adam L’Chavero.
Many people think that if one is good in their relationships with their fellow man, that is enough. They thereby think they can minimize or ignore their relationships with God... the Bein Adam L’Makom.
They will say ‘I will be good to my fellow man and otherwise follow my heart and all will be well’. ‘I will be blessed.’
The Ksav Sofer says this Pasuk is telling us that this rationalization is unacceptable to God. God does not take bribes. One set of Mitzvos does not atone for the lack of another set of Mitzvos. And if our humanistic concerns are not sourced in the Bein Adam L’Makom, our Bein Adam L'Chavero actions are not deemed worthy enough by God.
I most often focus on Bein Adam L’Chavero issues here. These issues are important. When they are violated innocent people often get hurt. But that does not lessen the importance of Bein Adam L’Makom. The soucre of all Mitzvah observance is God. It is He who tells us the right way to live. It is all about serving Him, not man. It is God’s will for us to observe Bein Adam L’Chavero and Bein Adam LaMakom, but one must remember that ultimately both are to be done in the service of God.
Mitzvos Bein Adam L’Makom are often all too easy to overlook or be lax about. If one lax in a Bein Adam L’Makom, nothing physically happens. Life goes on. However, even though we overlook some of those Mitzvos at times, God does not.
If the Midas HaDin ruled the world, man could not survive very long. But God in his infinite mercy rules the world through the Midas HaRachamim. That’s where Teshuva comes in. If done sincerely our Teshuva will be accepted.
Many people will say, ‘It’s just too hard.’ ‘I know myself.’ ‘I can’t change.’
I most often focus on Bein Adam L’Chavero issues here. These issues are important. When they are violated innocent people often get hurt. But that does not lessen the importance of Bein Adam L’Makom. The soucre of all Mitzvah observance is God. It is He who tells us the right way to live. It is all about serving Him, not man. It is God’s will for us to observe Bein Adam L’Chavero and Bein Adam LaMakom, but one must remember that ultimately both are to be done in the service of God.
Mitzvos Bein Adam L’Makom are often all too easy to overlook or be lax about. If one lax in a Bein Adam L’Makom, nothing physically happens. Life goes on. However, even though we overlook some of those Mitzvos at times, God does not.
If the Midas HaDin ruled the world, man could not survive very long. But God in his infinite mercy rules the world through the Midas HaRachamim. That’s where Teshuva comes in. If done sincerely our Teshuva will be accepted.
Many people will say, ‘It’s just too hard.’ ‘I know myself.’ ‘I can’t change.’
God in his infinite mercy does not expect us to suddenly change and become saints overnight. All he wants is for us to be going in the right direction. If we resolve to change even the slightest little portion of any sinful behavior that is beloved to Him.
May God inscribe all of Klal Yisroel in the book of life for a year of good health, peace, and happiness.
Ksiva V’Chasima Tova.
May God inscribe all of Klal Yisroel in the book of life for a year of good health, peace, and happiness.
Ksiva V’Chasima Tova.
