This Parsha (and Shabbos Chazon) indicates the joining of two opposites: a descent into worldly matters, yet this descent leads to the ultimate ascent
The Shabbos within Bein haMetzarim mandates an even greater sense of joy than a regular Shabbos due to the ability to convert the sad days into joy. Deep inner meaning of Galus is for sake of revealing a new light.
הוראה: Our daily service in Galus needs two things: awareness that the withdrawal and concealment are external, while the inner reality is revelation; and a continued bond and longing for G-d.
Devarim is not lacking anything when compared to the other four books, just G-d's Will is expressed in connection with man’s understanding
By carrying out the directives of this Book regarding our conduct in Eretz Yisrael, we develop a revealed bond with G-d's will.
הוראה: On Shabbos we do not show mourning, indicating our ability in these days to transform the exile and reveal the inner purpose.
Since Moshe would not lead the conquest of Eretz Yisrael, the conquest was now to be in a natural manner
Thus, he instructed Bnai Reuven & Gad to be not just officers, but frontline troops; they demonstrated mesiras nefesh with their unique style of attack which began with the arm and afterwards the head, obtained in the merit of tefillin.
הוראה: Mesiras nefesh in the service of Torah & Mitzvos directs the emotions; ultimately, Mesiras Nefesh serves its own purpose. In the merit of Tefillin, Jewish soldiers are successful.
Parshas Devarim (& the Haftorah) begins with rebuke & concludes with entering the Land
Higher than the World (limited): ציון במשפט תפדה, לחם מן השמים, כשלג ילבינו, עבר הירדן, פנימיות התורה. Transform (without limits): ושביה בצדקה, לחם מן הארץ, כצמר יהיו, ארץ ישראל, נגלה התורה.
הוראה: Belief in HaShem needs to permeate the intellect.
The Vision of the Third Bais HaMikdash produces a change within the person, becoming second nature to act in an upright manner
הוראה: Rebuke of Parshas Devarim produces Teshuvah transforming from below.
Bais HaMikdash Comparison
- First: Avos: Avrohom (Chesed). Main Avodah: Draw from Above to Below (From G-d, Tzadikim). Months: First – Nissan (Going out of Egypt).
- Second: Avos: Yiztchak (G’vurah). Main Avodah: Refinement from Below to Above (From the World, Baalei Teshuvah). Months: Second – Iyar (Counting of the Omer).
- Third: Avos: Yaacov (Tifferes – Emes). Main Avodah: Combined revelation from Above and Elevation from Below (“From one end to the opposite end”). Months: Third – Sivan (Matan Torah). Able to last forever.
Moshe only alluded to the Jew’s errors (for their defense); by lessening the impact of the errors Moshe protected the Jews’ honor
הוראה: By Galus HaShem protects our honor by mentioning our qualities.
Calev saw the land, but Yehoshua’s role was to lead the people
Thus, Torah parenthetically placed the punishment of Moshe to explain this difference.
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi responded to a Baisosi that Moshe gave the Jews the opportunity to reach a deeper level of refinement during the 40 years
הוראה: Similarly, our lengthy Galus enables us the opportunity to attain refinement on our own.
In Mishneh Torah Moshe (and thru him all Jews) become one with the Torah
Similar to Teshuvah where the person changes oneself.
הוראה: Chabad Chassidus transforms our mind and leads to Moshiach when the world will be able to see G-d.
Rashi – limitlessness of G-d’s blessing not to be taken literally, but is so much that unable to be counted
Medrosh – G-d’s blessing is literally unlimited.
הוראה: We need to learn the numbered (revealed) part of Torah, and the part of Torah beyond numbers (Penimius).
In the perfection of the limited blessing, Moshe expressed the unlimited blessing of HaShem
Similar to the infinite Will of HaShem being enclothed in the limitations of Mitzvos. נתאווה הקב"ה להיות לו יתברך דירה בתחתונים.
The King stuck a knife in the ground 10 times for Rabbi Yehuda only, since he exhibited Mesiras Nefesh even when it was not necessary
הוראה: Even a non-Jew (king) can respect Mesiras Nefesh.
Moshe translated the Torah into 70 languages at the command of HaShem not allowing misinterpretation
But when translated into Greek (Ptolemy) this allowed the possibility of misinterpretation and was considered as difficult as the day the Eigel was made.
G-d tells the Jews you have been living too much (רב) by this mountain, or you have become great (רב) by this mountain
Now carry the message to Eretz Yisrael and become great spiritually (Goy Kodesh) by making the Mikdash, accepting the Torah in daily life, and appointing the members of the Sanhedrin.
Oil is a concept of bitul
Eretz Yisrael’s oil is primary, since its kedusha is caused solely by G-d, it is a complete bitul. Ever HaYarden combined selection by the Jews and responsive kedusha from Above.
הוראה: Passion in Torah studies (יין) must be permeated with bitul (שמן), thus assuring that it will find expression in actually fulfilling HaShem’s Will.
Even the forces of evil are stronger when banded together
Sichon & Og knew their strongest spiritual counterpart was in the “populated cities”.
הוראה: In the Three Weeks extra emphasis on the unity and love of the Jews.
No issur in destruction of the Bais haMikdash if done for the purpose of a better reconstruction
הוראה: Exile for the sake of the future Redemption.
Moshe promised a supernatural conquest that they would not even need weapons
But the Jews’ lack of faith (incident of the Spies) caused them not to enter the Land until many years later, and then needed to conquer by apparent “natural” means.
הוראה: If we proclaim openly to all that the Land is ours & trust in HaShem, no one would contest us & we would not even need weapons.
Two types of נבונים: By building the Mishkan and by Judges
By Judges, a higher level is needed; to be able to מבין דבר מתוך דבר independently derive new laws.
הוראה: Currently, we primarily attempt to conquer our emotions (7); in the future, we will develop our intellectual faculties (3).
The sin of the Spies was done with “bad” talking
The people at the time of the Spies said one thing in public (how much they loved G-d, but that He hated them); the matter became revealed soon thereafter what they really said in private.
הוראה: G-d loves the person in spite of how low one has fallen; this can provide the inspiration to return to Him.
Importance of the Jews in general expressed as their existing forever (like the day) לעולם קיים
Also, importance of each Jew with their uniqueness and individual abilities (like the moon) התחדשות.
הוראה: Two forms of avodah: a) Constant and regular b) New & fresh. Seemingly opposites, can be unified like day (sun) and night (moon).
Tisha b’Av that falls on Shabbos expresses the true concept of this holiday to be a day of Joy
Building of HaShem (מראין) and Deeds of the people (מרחוק).
הוראה: Vision of Mikdash from afar leads a person to contemplate and attain bitul, to become a vessel.