The deeds of the Mighty Rock are perfect, for all His ways are just; a faithful G-d, without injustice He is righteous and upright. (32:4). This Posuk is detailing us the way Hashem gives punishments, and the accuracy and mercy how He does it.
Rashi explains: d ̈pEn¡` l¥w a faithful G-d. Faithful to reward the righteous their due in the world-to-come. And even though He defers their reward, in the end He will fulfill His words. Even human beings are expected not to commit injustice; why is Hashem praised for not committing iniquity? Hagaon Rav Yitzchok Blazer, the Rov of Petersburg, explains that when a human being seeks to punish, he considers only what its effect will be on the perpetrator. He does not consider whether the wrongdoer’s family or close friends will suffer. Not so Hashem. As it says in Tehillim (19:10): e « ̈c §g©i E¬w §c« ̈v z®¤n¡` 'd i¥h §t §y«¦n' The judgments of Hashem are true, altogether righteous. Hashem refrains from punishing a sinner if an innocent bystander will suffer pain or embarrassment. Thus, l¤e ̈r oi ¥`§e d ̈pEn¡` l¥w He is “a G-d of faith Who will not commit iniquity.”
The famous commentator on Chumash the Kli Yakar, puts it all in one prospective: The Gemarra Berachos 10a brings the words of Chana the mother of Shmuel Hanavi: "Epi¥w l`¥M xEv oi ¥`§e L ¤Y §l ¦A oi ¥` i ¦M 'd©M W ec ̈w oi ¥` “There is none holy like the Lord, for there is none like You, and there is no Rock like our God” (I Samuel 2:2). What is the meaning of there is no rock xEv like our God? There is no artist x ̈ii©v like our God. An artist who is drawing a picture, upon watching him draw it seems that it is an ugly piece of art, only when he is finished, one sees it is a masterpiece with each detail complete. The way of Hashem’s Justice is required to look to the end process, when all will observe the masterpiece of His Judgement and way of Punishment.
The heilige Alsheich comments on this Posuk, The Almighty. If Hashem smites with all His strength, who can survive? Moshe answers that even though Hashem is the Almighty, His ways are just, and He punishes according to the strength of the one receiving the punishment. Divine Justice is a combination of kindness and anger, and not simply judgment. Why does Hashem punish people in this world, yet give reward in the World to Come? Moshe answers that Hashem is “Righteous and upright.” “Righteous” refers to justice; since the sins were performed in this world, the punishment is also in this world. And He is “upright,” and goes beyond the letter of the law. He gives reward in the World to Come, which is infinite.
The Seforno adds: l¤e ̈r oi ¥`§e d ̈pEn¡` l¥w 'a totally reliable and loyal G-d is He; When He swore to the patriarchs that He would perform deeds of love for their children on account of these patriarchs’ merit;
The Almighty loves His children and is solely interested in their growth. He has no desire to control their behavior. G-d simply wants us to make the proper decisions and experience personal growth and become better people. Unfortunately, a person’s growth sometimes must come through pain.
Because of this, there is a lesson to each and every one of the Almighty’s retributions. This is the reason that G-d doles out punishments measure for measure – so that people will learn from their suffering and identify what they did wrong and what specifically they need to improve. Thus, every time we experience something unpleasant we must ask ourselves: What is the Almighty trying to tell me?
Chazal teach us that Hashem Himself feels pain when He has to punish someone. The idea of punishment is not retribution, rather it’s an elevation for the person. The person should be thankful to Hashem for having him in mind!
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
