The Be'er Moshe of Ozharov comes and explains a Gemara in Berachot (10a). The Gemara recounts that when Chizkiyahu was deathly ill, Yeshayahu HaNavi came to him and said: “Hashem says you should set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.” What does that last portion mean? You shall die in this world and not live in the World to Come. Chizkiyahu responded and asked: “Why such a harsh decree? What is my sin that warrants death?” The Navi explained that it was because he had not engaged in procreation; he did not marry and have children. Chizkiyahu then explained that he saw through divine inspiration that the children who would come from him would not be righteous, and therefore he refrained. The Navi then said, “Why are you meddling in the calculations of Heaven?! What you are commanded to do, you must do! What is pleasing before Hakadosh Baruch Hu – you must do! You need to marry and have children. It’s not your business which soul Hakadosh Baruch Hu brings down!”
The Be’er Moshe says: This is a wondrous marvel, for Chizkiyahu’s claim is valid. After all, we find (Bereishit Rabbah, 44) that both Avraham Avinu and David HaMelech did the same thing. Regarding Avraham, he said: “Ribbono Shel Olam, if I am destined to raise children who will anger You, it is better for me to go childless.” Similarly, David says: “Ribbono Shel Olam, if I am destined to raise children who will grieve You, it is better for me to be led in the everlasting way.” It is clear that both Avraham and David requested that if they were to have unrighteous children, it would be better to remain childless. If so, what is the claim against Chizkiyahu?
Furthermore, it is ruled in Halacha (Shulchan Aruch, Orach Chaim, 231) that a person should intend in the Mitzvah of procreation to have children who will serve the Boreh Olam. Since Chizkiyahu knew that his children would anger Hakadosh Baruch Hu, what purpose would fulfilling the Mitzvah serve, as it does not align with its goal and purpose?
However, in truth, there is a vast difference between Avraham and David and Chizkiyahu. While Avraham and David only requested this from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, but in practice acted differently and did not refrain from fulfilling the Mitzvah of procreation, Chizkiyahu prevented himself from marrying. And the Halacha states that the intention is to have righteous children, this intention is not the sole or primary reason. Therefore, Yeshayahu HaNavi said to him, “You must do what you’re commanded to do,” meaning, it is a decree from Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and you must fulfill it. “It is incumbent upon you to do His will, without any calculations or reasons.”
