The Torah says (דברים יז ח): "כִּי יִפָּלֵא מִמְּךָ דָבָר לַמִּשְׁפָּט בֵּין דָּם לְדָם בֵּין דִּין לְדִין וּבֵין נֶגַע לָנֶגַע דִּבְרֵי רִיבֹת בִּשְׁעָרֶיךָ וְקַמְתָּ וְעָלִיתָ אֶל הַמָּקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַר ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ בּוֹ" - If a matter of law eludes you—between blood and blood, between decision and decision, or between affliction and affliction, matters under dispute in your city; you shall rise and ascend to the place that Hashem, your G-d, will have chosen. This directive is aimed at local judges, teaching them how to handle uncertainty regarding a judiciary matter presented before them.
However, the Kelmer Maggid offers a deeper interpretation of this verse, suggesting that it provides the key to understanding all our struggles and misfortunes. When the possuk speaks of "If a matter of law eludes you," it can be understood as a contemplation of Divine Justice. Sometimes, one might wonder: "Why are the Jewish people facing such relentless persecution, as if their lives and blood hold no value? What have we done to deserve a continuous barrage of new decrees, bringing hardship and suffering?" One might ponder the unique plight of the Yidden, who seem disproportionately afflicted compared to other nations.
The answer to these troubling questions lies in the phrase: "Matters under dispute in your city." Every misery should be attributed to a lack of harmony among individuals within our communities. Discord, strife, and a failure to coexist peacefully are the underlying causes of the various afflictions we endure. If we wish to get rid of our challenges, we must first address the disunity and conflict among ourselves, for that discord is what ultimately leads to suffering.
Let us conclude with the encouraging words of the Midrash Tanchuma. The possuk states: "אַתֶּם נִצָּבִים הַיּוֹם" - You are standing this day". Moshe was telling Klal Yisrael that they are just like "the day" where it is sometimes light and sometimes dark. Although they have darkness now, the Holy One, blessed be He, is going to shine on them eternal light, as it says (ישעיה ס יט), "וְהָיָה לְךָ ה' לְאוֹר עוֹלָם" - for Hashem shall be your everlasting light. When will this be? (דברים ד ד), "חַיִּים כֻּלְּכֶם הַיּוֹם" - when you are all together. You cannot break a bundle of reeds when they are bound together, only when they are separate can you break them one at a time. So too, when Yidden are isolated from each other they get broken. Yidden were not redeemed until they became one group, as stated (ירמיה נ ד), "בַּיָּמִים הָהֵמָּה וּבָעֵת הַהִיא נְאֻם ה' יָבֹאוּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וּבְנֵי יְהוּדָה יַחְדָּו" - In those days and at that time, says Hashem, the children of Yisroel and the children of Judah, shall come together. "כְּשֶׁהֵן אֲגוּדִים מְקַבְּלִין פְּנֵי שְׁכִינָה" - When they are united, they shall welcome the face of the Divine Presence".
(תנחומא ניצבים א)
May we all merit to reach this long-awaited state of unity which will ultimately bring the geula shleima speedily in our days, אָמֵן.