A thought on Parshas Ki Tetze
"...ki HaShem Elokecha mis'halech b'kerev machanecha...""... for HaShem your Lord walks in the midst of your camp..." (23:15)
Moshe emphasizes our need to maintain sanctity in our encampments for wherever we go, G-d is among us.
The Chezkuni hastens to clarify that the "G-d walking in our midst" is a reference to the Ark of the Torah. The Torah walks among us as we travel.
Now, let us aim for perspective. Even if "G-d our Lord" is a euphemism for the Torah, we still have to remember that our G-d the Lord of the Universe is not a thing or a physical entity that might be a "walking presence" among us or in any other particular place. If He is "walking", then He is "walking" everywhere and not only in our camp. And if "He" means "the Torah", as Chezkuni writes, how is that a reason for us needing to keep our camp sanctified? Surely our rationale for sanctity is because HaShem is "around" us. What does that have to do with an Ark?
My sense is that the Chezkuni understands the cause-and-effect of the verse differently that we read it. We are supposed to sense G-d's Presence in our midst. We do that by bringing Godliness into our camp. The Torah embodies Godliness for us for it is the center of His plan for us and for the universe. (You see this spelled out in the birchas haTorah which we recite each day. Pay attention and you will notice.) Now, the fact that we carry the Torah along with us wherever we walk can mean that Godliness walks in our midst. Or, it may just mean that we are carrying a box around with us that has some old scrolls. What's it going to be?The Torah tells us that living by a more sanctified standard of behavior is the mechanism which creates that Godly quality. It elevates us. It engenders a sense of the sacred in our orientation to the Torah too. So the verse instructs us to exhibit conduct which demonstrates an allegiance to Torah which in turn brings our sense of HaShem's Presence into focus. By living a sanctified life, we declare the sanctity of Torah and this becomes a declaration that HaShem is "walking in our midst" as we revere the words of His Torah. As I mentioned last week, this is another illustration of Yisroel v'oraisa v'Kudsha Brich Hu chad hu.
When we are in shul and the Torah is out and we avoid needless talk and remain focused, even between aliyos, we are living by a sanctified standard. We are restraining ourselves and in that sense a scroll on a table feels like a Godly presence in our midst, and our reverence then proclaims "Kvodo malaei olam" - His Sacred Presence is right here among us!
Last week as night fell and brought the first day of Elul, I was called up to be an eid at a wonderful wedding. Great gedolim vied, in earlier generations, to be under a chupa during the month of Elul. There can be a glorious and awe- filled sense of sanctity beneath that canopy at this time of year. Or, one can just go through the motions of being at some chassuna. Choosing to make the action one of sanctity hinges on forming perspective. If I am focused and centered and envisioning my role as a sanctified one, I can still enjoy myself yet I have engendered that place with its due reverence. This is another means of bringing out that sense that we are living by that High standard and by revering the moment, we are beckoning that HaShem walk in our midst.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
Moshe emphasizes our need to maintain sanctity in our encampments for wherever we go, G-d is among us.
The Chezkuni hastens to clarify that the "G-d walking in our midst" is a reference to the Ark of the Torah. The Torah walks among us as we travel.
Now, let us aim for perspective. Even if "G-d our Lord" is a euphemism for the Torah, we still have to remember that our G-d the Lord of the Universe is not a thing or a physical entity that might be a "walking presence" among us or in any other particular place. If He is "walking", then He is "walking" everywhere and not only in our camp. And if "He" means "the Torah", as Chezkuni writes, how is that a reason for us needing to keep our camp sanctified? Surely our rationale for sanctity is because HaShem is "around" us. What does that have to do with an Ark?
My sense is that the Chezkuni understands the cause-and-effect of the verse differently that we read it. We are supposed to sense G-d's Presence in our midst. We do that by bringing Godliness into our camp. The Torah embodies Godliness for us for it is the center of His plan for us and for the universe. (You see this spelled out in the birchas haTorah which we recite each day. Pay attention and you will notice.) Now, the fact that we carry the Torah along with us wherever we walk can mean that Godliness walks in our midst. Or, it may just mean that we are carrying a box around with us that has some old scrolls. What's it going to be?The Torah tells us that living by a more sanctified standard of behavior is the mechanism which creates that Godly quality. It elevates us. It engenders a sense of the sacred in our orientation to the Torah too. So the verse instructs us to exhibit conduct which demonstrates an allegiance to Torah which in turn brings our sense of HaShem's Presence into focus. By living a sanctified life, we declare the sanctity of Torah and this becomes a declaration that HaShem is "walking in our midst" as we revere the words of His Torah. As I mentioned last week, this is another illustration of Yisroel v'oraisa v'Kudsha Brich Hu chad hu.
When we are in shul and the Torah is out and we avoid needless talk and remain focused, even between aliyos, we are living by a sanctified standard. We are restraining ourselves and in that sense a scroll on a table feels like a Godly presence in our midst, and our reverence then proclaims "Kvodo malaei olam" - His Sacred Presence is right here among us!
Last week as night fell and brought the first day of Elul, I was called up to be an eid at a wonderful wedding. Great gedolim vied, in earlier generations, to be under a chupa during the month of Elul. There can be a glorious and awe- filled sense of sanctity beneath that canopy at this time of year. Or, one can just go through the motions of being at some chassuna. Choosing to make the action one of sanctity hinges on forming perspective. If I am focused and centered and envisioning my role as a sanctified one, I can still enjoy myself yet I have engendered that place with its due reverence. This is another means of bringing out that sense that we are living by that High standard and by revering the moment, we are beckoning that HaShem walk in our midst.
Good Shabbos. D Fox
posted by Rabbi Dr. Fox at 11:59 PM
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