This week’s Parshah is Parshat Re’eh; the Parshah begins with Moshe’s admonition that Hashem has placed in front of the Jews two choices-blessing and life, if the path of the Torah and Judaism is followed, or an accursed existence of turmoil and strife, G-d forbid, if Am Yisrael neglects its commitments. Interestingly, Hadar Zekeinim notes that the Torah stresses that this choice was placed “היום-today" in front of the Jews, for when the redemption occurs, speedily in our days, the evil inclination will then lose its sway, enabling all of existence to achieve bliss and eternal reward for those who deserve so.
Chofetz Chaim notes [מאמר צפית לישעוה פרק א], that the coming of Moshiach seems to be predicated on Am Yisrael returning to Hashem with full sincerity [as per the Pesukim here and in Parshat Nitzavim], while the Talmud [see Sanhedrin 96-98] stresses that Moshiach will only arrive after extreme levels of interpersonal depravity and indignities have taken place. Chofetz Chaim questions how these two teachings can be squared; he offers, that ultimately there will be two types of people in the age of Moshiach-those who return to Hashem wholeheartedly, and directly precipitate the coming of Moshiach, and those who, because they reach such extreme levels of depravity, will force Hashem, as it were, to hasten the coming of Moshiach. Thus, he remedies the discrepancies between the teachings of the Talmud and the implication of the Pesukim in the Torah otherwise.
Humbly, perhaps we can suggest otherwise. The Sefer Yismach Yisrael writes, in the beginning of Parshat Eikev, an inspiring and uplifting idea-Rashi comments that the root of the word “עקב\Eikev" is heel; thus, Rashi [Devarim 7’ 12’] explains that the Torah’s use of the word “עקב" in the following Possuk [Devarim ad. Loc.]:
וְהָיָ֣ה ׀ עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְשָׁמַר֩ יְ-הֹוָ֨ה אֱ-לֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אֶֽת־הַבְּרִית֙ וְאֶת־הַחֶ֔סֶד אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃
In the future, as a consequence [עקב] of your heeding these laws, and your guarding and fulfilling them; Hashem, your God, will guard for you the covenant and the kindliness that He swore to your forefathers, serves to allude to the fact that if the Jews keep the Torah, even regarding Mitzvot that are trampled upon by the heel, Hashem will grant them divine favor and reward. According to this explanation, Rashi’s words lack some context and depth-what Mitzvot are trampled on by the heel [see Da’at Zekeinim]?
Yismach Yisrael, however, offers that Rashi is not referring to any Mitzvot in particular; rather, Rashi is referring to the time leading up to the redemption [the period known as עקבתא דמשיחא, the heels of Moshiach]. During that time, the fulfillment of Mitzvot will appear to the observer to be cheap, apparently lacking in proper commitment and dedication. The Mitzvot overall will look degraded, as if people are trampling on them with their heels. However, Hashem in his infinite kindness, will measure the fulfillment of these Mitzvot against the vicissitudes of the time they are being performed-thus, even Mitzvot that one might think are completed in a half-hearted fashion will serve as the catalyst for the coming of Moshiach.
This can perhaps be the answer to the contradiction raised by the Chofetz Chaim. It is true that the times leading up to the coming of the Moshiach will be filled with interpersonal strife and Chutzpah-however, that does not mean that Am Yisrael will be judged as lacking in their commitment to Hashem. To the contrary, the fact that even in trying and difficult times we still endeavor to follow the Torah, each at their level, will actually serve as the impetus for redemption!
Echoes of this idea are found in Melachim [B Chap. 13]. The Navi writes that Yoash, one of the later kings of the 10 tribes of Israel, did evil in the eyes of Hashem, and was permissive regarding idolatry. Yet, when Yoash visits the great prophet and disciple of Eliyahu HaNavi, Elisha, who was deathly ill, Yoash cries with sincerity “...Father, father! Israel’s chariot and Horsemen!". Even an apparent evildoer and supporter of idolatry like Yoash was able to summon authentic emotion and a true understanding of what Elisha represented for Am Yisrael-this brief exclamation was the exact same one Elisha uttered about Eliyahu, the prophet who will herald the redemption!
Hence, we witness here someone who seems to be at the core of the evil actions of Am Yisrael, to be still capable of connection to Hashem.
לזכות רפואה שלימה אחינו כל בית ישראל הנתונים בצרה ובשביה
Dedicated in memory of all those who have perished and sacrificed for Am Yisrael.
Have a Great Shabbat!