Miller's Musings Parshas Ki Seitzei: Believe in Better

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