Pemikiran Yahudi Ulangan 4:40: Akeidat Yitzchak, Derashot HaRan & Nineteen Letters

Some difficulties in the text of the Parshah.

The answer: what is revealed to and concealed from our eyes are great principles for penitents, as our sages stated (Avodah Zarah 5a): "If an individual sins, he is told: 'Go to the individual [i.e., David, and repent as he did].'" It is for this reason that Scripture portrays David as having committed an awesome sin. For that little wherein our sages acknowledge David as having gone astray is accounted relative to him as it would be to the average man who had sinned in the manner indicated by the plain meaning of the verses. And Scripture thereby informs us that even when one is guilty of a grievous sin he is [upon repentance] granted atonement for it, just as it was granted to David in spite of his sin's being a grievous one according to the plain meaning of the verses and his being more liable to punishment by virtue of his great uprightness and the Holy One's hair's-breadth punctiliousness with those of His "inner circle." This is borne out further in the instance of Moses our teacher, may peace be upon him — "…because you did not believe in Me to sanctify Me." And our sages came and enlightened us according to their true tradition that David did not commit the sin indicated by the plain meaning of the verses. And we likewise learn from this other things of great benefit, one of which is that the penitent must place his sins constantly before his eyes. For we see that David, though he did not actually sin, still said "…constantly before me." Therefore, all men should reflect upon their acts at set times and examine the details of all of their deeds in order to return to the L-rd with complete repentance. And after this it is not right for a man to allow his heart to succumb to weakness and to be in trepidation of affliction. But he should strengthen his trust, trusting in the Blessed One alone. For even at a time of great fright and grave danger one is expected to strengthen his heart in trust in the Blessed One, as it is written (Psalms 62:9): "Trust to Him at all times," upon which Rabbeinu Yonah comments: "'Trust to Him at all times,' for even in the most frightening of times, when the gates of rescue seem irrevocably locked, the Blessed One is a Shield to those who trust in Him." As the prophet says (Nachum 1:7): "The L-rd is good as a stronghold in the day of affliction, and He knows those who take shelter in Him. And when the flood rages by, He will make waste its place." That is, the Blessed One is good to those who take shelter in Him in the day of affliction, for He will not relate to them with the attribute of justice, but in a more favorable manner. And He knows and protects those who take shelter in Him, so that even when the flood rages by He will make waste only the place that he designates for it. And we, indeed, see that in many places a decree went forth against a people or an individual, and when they improved their ways they averted the calamity, as in the case of the people of Ninveh, and in that of Hezekiah, against whom a decree was pronounced by a prophet and who was saved by complete repentance, the Blessed One saying to him (Isaiah 38:5): "I have heard your prayer…" Even the evil Nebuchadnezzar was advised by Daniel (Daniel 4:24): "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you and redeem your sins through charity" — and this, indeed, is what transpired. (55)And we find (Shabbath 156b) accounts of individuals who, though condemned to death by nature and by the decree of the stars, succeeded in revoking all this through the perfection of their deeds. For our affairs are not determined by the natural order at all but by the providence of the L-rd of the Universe over us in accordance with the goodly beliefs we implant in our souls and the mitzvoth that we perform. And it is through these that He destined us to inherit the land and to acquire length of days, as it is written (Deuteronomy 4:39-40): "And know it this day, and return it to your heart, that the L-rd, He is G-d in heaven above and upon the earth below; there is no other. And keep His statutes and his mitzvoth that I command you today, so that it be well with you and with your children after you, and so that you prolong your days upon the earth that the L-rd your G-d gives you all of your days."

They furthermore tend to ennoble thy inner character that it become pure and free of all that could drag thee down from the high pinnacle of thy holy mission. They bid thee put aside pride and desire of sensual pleasure, to respond sympathetically to the sorrow or joy of all beings, and to embrace them all in thy love as children of thy God. These injunctions are but the applications of the principles demonstrated as true in the revelations given in the actions, in the mighty deeds, of God. His commandments are but the expressions of these principles; revealed as concepts, not as mere incomprehensible behests; whosoever desires truth will accept them.