Shabbat Parashat Nitzavim - 5782

Shabbat Parashat Nitzavim - 5782

Rabbi Hal Miller And it will be that when he hears the words of this oath, he will bless himself in his heart, saying, "I will have peace, though I go as my heart sees fit", thereby adding the drunk with the thirsty. [Devarim 29:18] God sealed a covenant with Israel at Moav and again at Choreiv. There are differing opinions as to whether here we are seeing another, or whether Moshe is referring back to the prior covenants at this point. Interesting question, but for another time. Whichever one this oath is about, the actions described here are the same. It seems easy, from a detached observer standpoint, to wonder how anyone who had gone through all that the people did over forty years, could then just blow it all off. What is our verse teaching us? Rashi begins with the "he will bless himself in his heart", saying that this person will think that the curses will not reach him, that he will have peace if he goes on in life doing what his heart sees fit to do. Ramban follows Rashi, but adds that this person thinks he will have peace because he does not accept upon himself the oath. Rav Hirsch refines this, that the guy sees these blessings and curses as judging factors for the behavior of the majority, but that those who don't measure up may still benefit by being part of the general prosperity, sort of a free ride. Most of the commentators follow this type of approach, that the verse refers to one who thinks that so long as he is part of the nation, and most of the people are doing right things, then he and other transgressors will be carried along in the good judgment, therefore he can toss aside Torah law, do anything he wants, yet still get all the benefits. The point is that the nation will be judged as a whole, rather than each person individually. But perhaps we can find another reason for our verse. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, zt'l, says, "When such a person hears the words of this oath, he may think himself immune saying, I will be safe even if I go my own stubborn way, sweeping away the moist and the dry alike." The keys here are "immune" and "even if I go my own stubborn way". What does this mean? While they do support the conclusion of the other commentators, these words also point out that going one's own way may be fine under the rules of political correctness, it does not provide for immunity from God's judgment upon him. To think otherwise is to deny God's Mastership, to place himself in the position of judging God's laws, of choosing which ones he will follow and which ones for which he will overrule God's commandments. He declares himself to be on a level with God, if not above Him, and for this he blesses himself. Needless to say, he will not have peace, will not be judged merely as part of the congregation, rather will be judged alone for his own merits and shortcomings. Achdut, the unity of the Jewish people, does not depend on a simple, democratic majority. It depends on all of us stepping up our game. There is an old joke about a town that had exactly ten Jewish men. All would show up for every davening, so they always had a minyan. When an eleventh man moved to town, suddenly the minyan ceased, each thinking he was not required and could do as he pleased. Following the Torah is not a choice. Keeping the commandments is not something we can pick and choose, and overrule what we don't like. The success of all our people depends on each of us doing right.