Peace. We pray for it, hope for it, we even sing incessantly about it. Peace, say our Rabbis, is the "container" that holds life; for without true peace, life would spill onto the ground like water out of a glass.
Our second sedra this week, B'chukotai, is largely focused on the negative consequences that can result, G-d forbid, when we reject Hashem and try to "go it alone." Without Divine protection, we are that proverbial sheep surrounded by 70 wolves, defenseless in a cruel world. Yet the parsha first outlines, in succinct form, the blessings promised to us when we attach ourselves to G-d's will and perform His mitzvot. Central to these brachot is the assurance: ?Viyshavtem l'vetach b'artzechem? - ?And you shall dwell safely and securely in your Land,? which is followed immediately by ?V'natati shalom ba'aretz.? - ?And I will grant you Peace in the Land.?
The obvious question stares out at us: If the first clause is true, i.e., if we enjoy safety and security, then won't we by definition enjoy a status of peace? Not necessarily, says the Rivash: True peace is more than the illusion of security, or isolated periods or pockets of serenity. True peace is comprehensive and pervasive. Only when all the Land is at peace, when every citizen is safe, can all the people rest securely.
The Or HaChaim has another reading of the pasuk. Only when there is ?peace in the Land,? when all the groups already living together within Israel get along, will the bracha finally come true. If we cannot make peace among ourselves, how can we realistically expect peace with our neighbors?
The Chatam Sofer sees peace as a frame of mind as much as a political arrangement. It is not enough to have an abundance of food, financial prosperity and security, he says, one must also be satisfied with his situation. The real bracha is when a person appreciates his lot in life and acknowledges his good fortune. The all-too common penchant for seeing the dark cloud behind every silver lining is a barrier to achieving bracha.
Finally, the bitachon (?security?) spoken of in part one of the blessing is the key to part two: By relying on Hashem and seeking His protection, we can achieve ultimate peace.
Put another way, the secret of bitaCHON (?security?) is biTAchon (?trust in G-d?)!
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Rabbi Weiss is Director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.
Our second sedra this week, B'chukotai, is largely focused on the negative consequences that can result, G-d forbid, when we reject Hashem and try to "go it alone." Without Divine protection, we are that proverbial sheep surrounded by 70 wolves, defenseless in a cruel world. Yet the parsha first outlines, in succinct form, the blessings promised to us when we attach ourselves to G-d's will and perform His mitzvot. Central to these brachot is the assurance: ?Viyshavtem l'vetach b'artzechem? - ?And you shall dwell safely and securely in your Land,? which is followed immediately by ?V'natati shalom ba'aretz.? - ?And I will grant you Peace in the Land.?
The obvious question stares out at us: If the first clause is true, i.e., if we enjoy safety and security, then won't we by definition enjoy a status of peace? Not necessarily, says the Rivash: True peace is more than the illusion of security, or isolated periods or pockets of serenity. True peace is comprehensive and pervasive. Only when all the Land is at peace, when every citizen is safe, can all the people rest securely.
The Or HaChaim has another reading of the pasuk. Only when there is ?peace in the Land,? when all the groups already living together within Israel get along, will the bracha finally come true. If we cannot make peace among ourselves, how can we realistically expect peace with our neighbors?
The Chatam Sofer sees peace as a frame of mind as much as a political arrangement. It is not enough to have an abundance of food, financial prosperity and security, he says, one must also be satisfied with his situation. The real bracha is when a person appreciates his lot in life and acknowledges his good fortune. The all-too common penchant for seeing the dark cloud behind every silver lining is a barrier to achieving bracha.
Finally, the bitachon (?security?) spoken of in part one of the blessing is the key to part two: By relying on Hashem and seeking His protection, we can achieve ultimate peace.
Put another way, the secret of bitaCHON (?security?) is biTAchon (?trust in G-d?)!
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Rabbi Weiss is Director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.