Miller’s Musings Parshas Ki Seitzei
The reasons given for mitzvos in the Torah can appear at
times indiscriminate in their appearance.
This is indubitably not the case, but does lead us to question why a certain
reason appears for one Mitzvo and not others.
In our Parsha we have the commandment not to marry an Ammonite or
Moabite because “they did not greet you with bread and water when you left
Egypt and because he hired Bilom…to curse you”.
The question here is in fact twofold, because we may also wonder how, if
all the commandments were given in their entirety at Har Sinai, it could have
included a motive that only became germane after the mass revelation at the
giving of the Torah?
The answer to this lies in an essential understanding, and
perhaps re-understanding, of the reasons for all mitzvos and our relationship towards
them. Reb Shimon Schwab zt’l explains
that in truth the motivation for a mitzvo is never the true cause of that
Mitzvoh being given. Every commandment
is given because it is by definition a way of perfecting ourselves according to
the wisdom of Hashem. Hashem would have
given this even if the Ammonites had never acted in this malicious manner. In fact it is the Mitzvoh itself which
determines the reality, in this case the events that led to the Ammonite
cruelty, so that we can better understand a rationale for the mandate from
Hashem. The reason is perhaps given for
this Mitzvoh to teach just this message.
There are Mitzvos that we understand from a logical perspective
and there are those that seem beyond our rational understanding. Then there are mitzvos that may even seem
contradictory to our belief system and our conception of G-d and Judaism. These can be a test of our faith because they
question the values we hold most dear.
The lesson being conveyed here is that in truth our reasoning is
irrelevant to the validity and integrity of a Mitzvoh. We may think we comprehend them, we may
require a deeper understanding to fathom a perception of their essential
goodness, or we may never truly come to an appreciation of their inherent worth
from our perspective. Hashem has given
us these instructions to us as a guide to achieving the most meaningful and
greatest life possible. Our knowledge of
Hashem and His goodness should make the belief in His teachings, not a leap of
faith, but a moral imperative for all of us.
May we have a Shabbos of true faith in the beauty of our
Torah and its’ guidance.
L’ilui
Nishmas Leah bas Avrohom
