Although these two portions are the shortest in the Torah, their message is an important one, especially before the High Holidays. After warning the Jewish people about the terrible consequences awaiting them if they transgress the Torah and mitzvos, Moshe had the people make a new covenant with G-d. Although they were already bound by the laws of the Torah, they now accepted arvus, or responsibility, upon themselves for one another. A Jew is not only obligated to keep the mitzvos himself, but he is also responsible for the observance of every other Jew too.
When a single Jew sins, there is a collective responsibility upon the whole community. Had others perhaps chastised the sinner, or even better, had they acted in a more appropriate manner themselves, thereby exerting a positive influence, the sinner may have never transgressed in the first place. This is what is meant by the popular phrase, “All Jews are responsible for each other.”
Moshe foretold that after the nation would experience the punishment for their sins, they would be inspired to return to the ways of the Torah. G-d always accepts repentance and He will then gather the people from throughout the exile and return them to Israel with great blessing.
Moshe encouraged the people to repent and observe the Torah, assuring them that it was not too difficult to do so. The Torah is not in the heavens or across the seas making it impossible to attain spiritual heights. It is within the capability of every Jew to accomplish greatness, if he or she just puts forth the effort.
In closing, Moshe reminded the people that the choice of keeping the Torah is nothing less than choosing between good and bad, life and death. If the Jewish people keep the mitzvos properly they will merit eternal life, and if they do not, the result will be destruction, not merely for the present but also for the future.
This responsibility for the future is also seen in the mitzvah of hakhel, the gathering of the entire nation in Jerusalem every seven years. The Torah says that every man, woman, and child are to appear in Temple after Sukkos following the seventh year, where the king reads the Torah. Although an infant is incapable of understanding the proceedings, it is important that the parents at least make an effort to set the stage properly for their child’s future development.
“You are standing here today, all of you, before G-d…” (Deut. 29:9)
The Zohar sees this passage as a reference to Rosh Hashana. A person must stand collectively with the community to ensure a favorable judgment.
A story is told of a student who handed a test paper in late to the proctor. The proctor refused to accept the paper.
“Do you know who I am?” the student asked,
“It doesn’t matter,” the proctor retorted, “Rules are rules.”
“But do you know who I am?” the student insisted.
The irritated proctor shouted, “No, and I don’t care!”
“Good,” the student said as he shoved his paper into the middle of the pile in front of the proctor.
When we identify with the community and focus on our collective survival, the individual flaws are not as damaging as when we stand alone.
A Happy and Healthy New Year!
Did You Know...
There is a custom to wave kapporos between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. A live rooster is taken for a male, and a hen for a female. The chicken is held and circled around one’s head while reciting the prayer.
The custom is often misunderstood as transferring one’s sins to the chicken, which doesn’t make much sense. The purpose is to identify with a living creature that will subsequently be slaughtered. One should reflect that the sinful human being should also lose the right to his existence, but for the mercy of G-d. Hopefully this reflection will inspire the person to repent and mend his ways.
If no chicken is available, money may be used and then be donated to charity.
