Parshas Devarim
This is in the merit of my grandmother Esther bat Mazal. May she have a speedy and complete recovery.
A note: Comments within double brackets, [[abc]], are notes I write for myself so that when I look back later on the topics I discussed, I see all the sources I looked at and how I understood them. Readers are encouraged to skip them.
Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel, discusses Israel’s retaliation against Hezbollah terrorists and civilian casualties. http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/middleeast/Arithmetic_of_Pain.asp
Question:
Compare and contrast Moses’ description in this week’s parshah of how the court system was established (Deuteronomy 1:9-18) to the way it is described in the book of Exodus (Exodus 18:13-27) and explain the differences’ significance. Because both passages are rather lengthy, I have not quoted them here.
Chasing after Peace
G-d tells Moses:
“Now set out and cross the Arnon Brook. See! I have given over Sichon, The Amorite king of Chesbon, and his land, into your hands. Begin the occupation! Provoke war with him!” (Deuteronomy 2:24).
Yet Moses says:
“I sent emissaries from the Kedemot Desert to Sichon king of Cheshbon with words of peace, saying, 'We wish to pass through your land. We will travel along the main highway, not turning to the right or the left” (Deuteronomy 2:26-27).
G-d tells Moses to make war and instead, he looks for a peaceful solution! How could “Moses, servant of Hashem” (Deuteronomy 34:5) so flagrantly violate G-d’s command?
[[What if Sichon had agreed? Would Moses not attack?]]
There are many answers to this question, nearly all of whom stress the importance of peace. Before continuing however, I want to make clear that although we Jews must strive for peace, there is also “a time for war” (Ecclesiastes 3:8) and we should not ignorantly believe that all conflicts can be resolved diplomatically.
(Once we establish that Moses did the right thing, one should certainly ask ‘so why did G-d tell Moses to go to war?’ This question, as I understand it, deals with arguing with G-d which is outside of this devar Torah. For those interested, Rabbi Fohrman deals with this question. His tapes are available at http://www.artscroll.com/Books/df103.html and http://www.jewishexplorations.1shoppal.com/catalog/item/1562056/1013321.htm)
[[The verse contrasts peace with war, implying that they are opposites. Interestingly, Torah Studies (R. Sacks explaining the Lubavitcher Rebbe ztl) saying Pinchas acted for the sake if peace. In Forever his Studies, it says something similar and brings other examples.]]
As previously mentioned, we Jews are always to seek peace. Hillel exhorts us to “love peace and pursue peace” (Ethics of our Fathers 1:12) and presumably, this is based on the verse in Psalms “Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). Nechama Leibowitz (Studies in Deuteronomy, page 31) cites the Sages who apply this verse to our question (the translation is my own):
“’Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalm 34:15). The Torah did not order us to chase after the commandments. On the contrary ‘If a bird’s nest happens to be before you…’ (Deuteronomy 22:6), ‘If you encounter your enemy’s ox…’ (Exodus 23:4), ‘When you cut down your harvest and forget a bundle…’ (Deuteronomy 24:19).
[Regarding] all of [those commandments], if the opportunity comes to you, you are obligated in it, but [you are not obligated] to chase after it. But regarding peace, ‘Seek peace’ (Psalms 34:15) where you are, ‘Pursue it’ (Ibid) elsewhere. Israel acted similarly. Even though G-d said to them ‘Begin the occupation! Provoke war with him!’ they pursued peace, as it is written ‘And I sent messengers… to Sichon… with words of peace’” (Midrash Tanchuma on Chukkas).
[[What about when we are told to pursue things?]]
From there, we see the verse “Seek peace and pursue it” applies on a national scale. The Talmud also applies it to interpersonal behavior and it counts bringing peace as one of the three things one must always cling to (Yevamos 109b). Indeed, King Solomon said about the entire Torah that “all its paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17)!
[[See also Shabbas 127a which we recite daily and Metzudos David on Psalms 34:15]]
Rashi gives a different, although not necessarily contradictory, answer as to why Moses asked for peace.
“I sent emissaries from the Kedemot [קְדֵמוֹת – Kedemot] Desert to Sichon king of Cheshbon with words of peace, saying, 'We wish to pass through your land. We will travel along the main highway, not turning to the right or the left” (Deuteronomy 2:26-27).
26. [And I sent messengers] from the desert of Kedemot. Even though the Omnipresent had not commanded me to call to Sihon in peace, I learned to do so from the incident at the desert of Sinai, i.e., relating to the Torah which preceded (קָדְמָה - Kadma) the world. When the Holy One, blessed be He, was about to give the Torah to Israel, He took it to Esau and Ishmael. Although it was clear to Him that they would not accept it, nevertheless, He began with them in peace. So too, I first called to Sihon with words of peace. Another explanation מִמִּדְבַּר קְדֵמוֹת Moses said to God,“I learned this from You, Who preceded (קָדַמְתָּ – Kadamta) the world. You could have sent one flash of lightning to consume the Egyptians, but instead, You sent me from the desert to Pharaoh. saying, (Exod. 5:1) ‘Let my people go’ patiently.” (Midrash Tanchuma)
[[R. Weiner showed me that the Sefer Chassidim cites the Semag who says that seeking peace is one of the 613 mitzvos. Since we are to seek peace in a milchamos reshus, kal vichomer everywhere else. Perhaps this is related to what Sifsei Chachamim on Rashi and Ramban on 2:24 speak about.]]
In both of Rashi’s answers, Moses’ seeking peace is in emulation of G-d. Perhaps in connection with this, our Sages, basing themselves on Judges 6:24, say that Shalom – Peace – is one of G-d’s names (Shabbas 10b).
[[http://www.yutorah.org/_shiurim/%2FTU9%5FBlau%2Epdf page 9]]
Ultimately, G-d wants peace.
Shabbat Shalom
Have a good Shabbas,
Mordechai
This is in the merit of my grandmother Esther bat Mazal. May she have a speedy and complete recovery.
A note: Comments within double brackets, [[abc]], are notes I write for myself so that when I look back later on the topics I discussed, I see all the sources I looked at and how I understood them. Readers are encouraged to skip them.
Alan Dershowitz, author of The Case for Israel, discusses Israel’s retaliation against Hezbollah terrorists and civilian casualties. http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/middleeast/Arithmetic_of_Pain.asp
Question:
Compare and contrast Moses’ description in this week’s parshah of how the court system was established (Deuteronomy 1:9-18) to the way it is described in the book of Exodus (Exodus 18:13-27) and explain the differences’ significance. Because both passages are rather lengthy, I have not quoted them here.
Chasing after Peace
G-d tells Moses:
“Now set out and cross the Arnon Brook. See! I have given over Sichon, The Amorite king of Chesbon, and his land, into your hands. Begin the occupation! Provoke war with him!” (Deuteronomy 2:24).
Yet Moses says:
“I sent emissaries from the Kedemot Desert to Sichon king of Cheshbon with words of peace, saying, 'We wish to pass through your land. We will travel along the main highway, not turning to the right or the left” (Deuteronomy 2:26-27).
G-d tells Moses to make war and instead, he looks for a peaceful solution! How could “Moses, servant of Hashem” (Deuteronomy 34:5) so flagrantly violate G-d’s command?
[[What if Sichon had agreed? Would Moses not attack?]]
There are many answers to this question, nearly all of whom stress the importance of peace. Before continuing however, I want to make clear that although we Jews must strive for peace, there is also “a time for war” (Ecclesiastes 3:8) and we should not ignorantly believe that all conflicts can be resolved diplomatically.
(Once we establish that Moses did the right thing, one should certainly ask ‘so why did G-d tell Moses to go to war?’ This question, as I understand it, deals with arguing with G-d which is outside of this devar Torah. For those interested, Rabbi Fohrman deals with this question. His tapes are available at http://www.artscroll.com/Books/df103.html and http://www.jewishexplorations.1shoppal.com/catalog/item/1562056/1013321.htm)
[[The verse contrasts peace with war, implying that they are opposites. Interestingly, Torah Studies (R. Sacks explaining the Lubavitcher Rebbe ztl) saying Pinchas acted for the sake if peace. In Forever his Studies, it says something similar and brings other examples.]]
As previously mentioned, we Jews are always to seek peace. Hillel exhorts us to “love peace and pursue peace” (Ethics of our Fathers 1:12) and presumably, this is based on the verse in Psalms “Seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). Nechama Leibowitz (Studies in Deuteronomy, page 31) cites the Sages who apply this verse to our question (the translation is my own):
“’Depart from evil, and do good, seek peace and pursue it’ (Psalm 34:15). The Torah did not order us to chase after the commandments. On the contrary ‘If a bird’s nest happens to be before you…’ (Deuteronomy 22:6), ‘If you encounter your enemy’s ox…’ (Exodus 23:4), ‘When you cut down your harvest and forget a bundle…’ (Deuteronomy 24:19).
[Regarding] all of [those commandments], if the opportunity comes to you, you are obligated in it, but [you are not obligated] to chase after it. But regarding peace, ‘Seek peace’ (Psalms 34:15) where you are, ‘Pursue it’ (Ibid) elsewhere. Israel acted similarly. Even though G-d said to them ‘Begin the occupation! Provoke war with him!’ they pursued peace, as it is written ‘And I sent messengers… to Sichon… with words of peace’” (Midrash Tanchuma on Chukkas).
[[What about when we are told to pursue things?]]
From there, we see the verse “Seek peace and pursue it” applies on a national scale. The Talmud also applies it to interpersonal behavior and it counts bringing peace as one of the three things one must always cling to (Yevamos 109b). Indeed, King Solomon said about the entire Torah that “all its paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17)!
[[See also Shabbas 127a which we recite daily and Metzudos David on Psalms 34:15]]
Rashi gives a different, although not necessarily contradictory, answer as to why Moses asked for peace.
“I sent emissaries from the Kedemot [קְדֵמוֹת – Kedemot] Desert to Sichon king of Cheshbon with words of peace, saying, 'We wish to pass through your land. We will travel along the main highway, not turning to the right or the left” (Deuteronomy 2:26-27).
26. [And I sent messengers] from the desert of Kedemot. Even though the Omnipresent had not commanded me to call to Sihon in peace, I learned to do so from the incident at the desert of Sinai, i.e., relating to the Torah which preceded (קָדְמָה - Kadma) the world. When the Holy One, blessed be He, was about to give the Torah to Israel, He took it to Esau and Ishmael. Although it was clear to Him that they would not accept it, nevertheless, He began with them in peace. So too, I first called to Sihon with words of peace. Another explanation מִמִּדְבַּר קְדֵמוֹת Moses said to God,“I learned this from You, Who preceded (קָדַמְתָּ – Kadamta) the world. You could have sent one flash of lightning to consume the Egyptians, but instead, You sent me from the desert to Pharaoh. saying, (Exod. 5:1) ‘Let my people go’ patiently.” (Midrash Tanchuma)
[[R. Weiner showed me that the Sefer Chassidim cites the Semag who says that seeking peace is one of the 613 mitzvos. Since we are to seek peace in a milchamos reshus, kal vichomer everywhere else. Perhaps this is related to what Sifsei Chachamim on Rashi and Ramban on 2:24 speak about.]]
In both of Rashi’s answers, Moses’ seeking peace is in emulation of G-d. Perhaps in connection with this, our Sages, basing themselves on Judges 6:24, say that Shalom – Peace – is one of G-d’s names (Shabbas 10b).
[[http://www.yutorah.org/_shiurim/%2FTU9%5FBlau%2Epdf page 9]]
Ultimately, G-d wants peace.
Shabbat Shalom
Have a good Shabbas,
Mordechai
posted by Mordechai18 at 11:16 AM
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