by Rabbi Sholom Avtzon

Dvar Torah: Hashem’s True Beloved

In this weeks parsha, parshas Ki Teitzei, the Torah states that if a man had two wives, one is beloved and the other one is not (so) beloved. When it comes to give over his inheritance, he must give a double portion to his first born son, even if that son is the son of the wife whom he isn’t on the best of terms. And it is forbidden to play favoritism and give the first born of the beloved wife, the rights of the firstborn.

This is the halachah and it is quite simple and straight forth.

The Tzemach Tzedek explains in Ohr HaTorah, that we must understand these pesukim. As is known, whenever the Torah gives or uses the analogy of husband and wife, it is a metaphor of the connection of Hashem and the Jewish people. As our sages explain, the day of His wedding, refers to the day of matan torah.

So the question is there is only one Jewish nation, how can the possuk say Hashem has two wives, He is ‘married’ only to us and to no other nation?

But the explanation is, there are certain times when the Jewish nation is considered beloved to Hashem, while other times, it may be seen that we are not beloved to Him. Simply said, in the times of the beis Hamikdash, we were beloved. Everyday ten miracles happened on a daily basis, emphasizing that special relationship.

However, in the days of golus, when we are sent in exile and nations have the ability and power to harass us and sometimes to even chas v’sholom hurt us, at that time, we are not considered beloved to Him, If He loved us, He would put an immediate end to our suffering.

Then the Torah continues, and on the day he gives his inheritance, this is referring to the time when Moshiach comes. At that point the question is, who caused his coming? And subsequently, who should be singled out and who should be rewarded?

So the Torah states, don’t look towards the great Torah sages that lived in the days where the beis hamikdash was standing. And don’t even look at the great scholars who lived in exile, but under relatively decent conditions. It is not them! Yes, great they are and recognition they deserve. BUT, the ones who accomplished creating an environment where Hashem’s glory can manifest itself in this physical world, are the Jews who were born in the darkest days of the exile.

Yes those Jews who grew up, when darkness covered the earth and yet, they are still proud of their Jewishness and chassidishkeit. It is they who have to be noted and receive the accolades they rightfully earned.

The author can be reached at avtzonbooks@gmail.com.

One Comment