Dear Friends,
If we are commanded in the Torah to treat slaves properly, what about the Jew who does not own a slave - how can one perform this commandment? Similarly, if one does not own a field, how can one fulfill the obligation to leave the corners of one’s field fallow for the hungry and homeless?
These questions arise in the Talmud’s investigation of a critical verse in our Torah portion. The verse reads, “Cursed be one who will not uphold the terms of this Teaching and observe them - And all the people shall say, Amen.” [Deuteronomy 27:26]
The Talmud [Sotah 37a] asks why the verse required the additional phrase, “…and observe them…” Isn’t that implied in the first half of the verse, “…one who will not uphold the terms of nthis Teaching…” What is gained with adding “and observe them?”
The sages of the Talmud argued that unless one has the opportunity to uphold a particular commandment, one is not culpable for the punishment should one potentially fail to fulfill the edict. And, the sages of the Talmud further suggested that one must make up one’s mind to carry out a commandment when the opportunity arises to do so.
The rabbinic sages were savvy. They knew that every one of us has the privilege to set our mind to a task, or not. Fulfilling an obligation first requires the opportunity, and then the will. Lacking the will, the opportunity will not be met.
For instance, when I go for a morning run, somewhere along the way I will be tired, uninspired, and ready to stop. Yet, if I set my mind to overcoming my impediments, I can succeed to complete the run. Similarly, when I’m amid prayer, often my mind will wander to other, varied ideas. I need to bring my mind back to the task at hand in order to fulfill the present obligation of tefilah - prayer.
Presently, in this time of COVID, we have so many new commandments impressed upon us: social distancing, mask-wearing, washing hands, avoiding unsafe environments, engaging with others through virtual connections. For me, like for you, some of this has become routinized, but sometimes I just hunger to hug and offer a pat on the back. Sometimes I bristle at those walking along the sidewalk unmasked. Yet, the Talmudic sages offer the reminder: I must put my mind back to my own efforts, and recognize that there are others who, at least for the moment, have let their minds wander from the task, and miss the moment to observe the necessary task.
An opportunity or an obligation is nothing without the will to meet it. If we don’t have the opportunity, we are exempt from the obligation (the city dweller doesn’t about sheep and donkeys). Yet, if we do have the opportunity, let’s step forward!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
If we are commanded in the Torah to treat slaves properly, what about the Jew who does not own a slave - how can one perform this commandment? Similarly, if one does not own a field, how can one fulfill the obligation to leave the corners of one’s field fallow for the hungry and homeless?
These questions arise in the Talmud’s investigation of a critical verse in our Torah portion. The verse reads, “Cursed be one who will not uphold the terms of this Teaching and observe them - And all the people shall say, Amen.” [Deuteronomy 27:26]
The Talmud [Sotah 37a] asks why the verse required the additional phrase, “…and observe them…” Isn’t that implied in the first half of the verse, “…one who will not uphold the terms of nthis Teaching…” What is gained with adding “and observe them?”
The sages of the Talmud argued that unless one has the opportunity to uphold a particular commandment, one is not culpable for the punishment should one potentially fail to fulfill the edict. And, the sages of the Talmud further suggested that one must make up one’s mind to carry out a commandment when the opportunity arises to do so.
The rabbinic sages were savvy. They knew that every one of us has the privilege to set our mind to a task, or not. Fulfilling an obligation first requires the opportunity, and then the will. Lacking the will, the opportunity will not be met.
For instance, when I go for a morning run, somewhere along the way I will be tired, uninspired, and ready to stop. Yet, if I set my mind to overcoming my impediments, I can succeed to complete the run. Similarly, when I’m amid prayer, often my mind will wander to other, varied ideas. I need to bring my mind back to the task at hand in order to fulfill the present obligation of tefilah - prayer.
Presently, in this time of COVID, we have so many new commandments impressed upon us: social distancing, mask-wearing, washing hands, avoiding unsafe environments, engaging with others through virtual connections. For me, like for you, some of this has become routinized, but sometimes I just hunger to hug and offer a pat on the back. Sometimes I bristle at those walking along the sidewalk unmasked. Yet, the Talmudic sages offer the reminder: I must put my mind back to my own efforts, and recognize that there are others who, at least for the moment, have let their minds wander from the task, and miss the moment to observe the necessary task.
An opportunity or an obligation is nothing without the will to meet it. If we don’t have the opportunity, we are exempt from the obligation (the city dweller doesn’t about sheep and donkeys). Yet, if we do have the opportunity, let’s step forward!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Douglas Kohn
