We must be happy; we’ve got no choice.
That’s the message that emerges from Parshat Ki Tavo, where the Torah gives us the תוכחה, a long list of horrific curses which Heaven forbid might befall our people. The reason for these curses, the Torah explains, is “תחת אשר לא עבדת את ה' אלוקיך בשמחה”. It’s on account of the fact that you have not worshipped the Lord, your G-d, with joy.
Here we are not speaking about people who are not worshipping Hashem, but rather those who do worship, but without joy!
Many of our commentators highlight from here the importance of harmonious communities. When a community is split down the middle, when there is a poisonous atmosphere, the very presence of Hashem is driven from our midst. But if that’s the case, is that a reason why such horrific curses could transpire?
The Kotzker Rebbe offers a different interpretation of this verse: תחת אשר לא עבדת. It’s because your non-observance has been carried out בשמחה - with happiness. In the event that one is not observing but does so with embarrassment, and without flaunting it, there remains hope for the eventual return to doing what is right. You’re certainly not encouraging others to be disobedient.
However, when you are לא עבדת, your non-observance is carried out בשמחה, with pride and flaunted openly, it sends a troubling message to future generations. What hope can there be for them? That is why such an atmosphere within our people could be serious and dangerous.
Therefore, from this important statement in the Torah, as we emerge into the High Holy Day period, perhaps instead of doing what is wrong and being embarrassed about it, let’s just do what is right.
And let us never forget to worship Hashem with joy, one way is by praying to Hashem with our own great efforts, for the sake of our collective future and for the return of our hostages, for all those who are sick and injured, for peace and calm as well as praying for our soldiers and healthcare professionals, and Chevra Kadisha members worldwide, and for those who need healing, shidduchim, children and parnassah and may we be blessed to have the most awesome, gorgeous, beautiful, peaceful, healthy, amazing, relaxed, spiritual, loving and sweet Shabbat.
NUMBER OF MITZVOT: 6
MITZVOT ASEH: 3
MITZVOT LO TAASEH: 3
NUMBER OF PESUKIM: 122
NUMBER OF WORDS: 1747
NUMBER OF LETTERS: 6811
HAFTORA:
Yeshayahu 60:1- 22 (קומי אורי) (this is the sixth of seven Haftorot, [the Seven Haftorot of Consolation] that precede Rosh Hashanah).
This week we study Chapters 3 and 4 of Pirkei Avot
