Pensamento Judaico sobre Deuteronômio 4:25

In describing the Jewish people as a nation lacking counsel, Moses underscores the obvious. Only utter fools forget that the achievements of a numerically so inferior nation who have risen to such elevated status, could only have been possible due to supernatural assistance. Survival of the Jewish nation after the commission of a cardinal sin such as that of the golden calf, was only due to G'd not wanting to create the impression of His impotence. Verse thirty two "for the vine of Sodom is their vine," means that even when on the outside Jewish actions appear inspired by worthwhile motivations, "their grapes are grapes of gall." When you taste the fruit, i.e. examine their true motives they will be found to be rotten. Only when the nations of the world will mock Israel in ever increasing volume, will G'd defend His reputation. This period will coincide with a time when Israel will have recognised that it has no one else to turn to but G'd. The entire "song" that we read here in Parshat ha-azinu, is further proof that the course of Jewish history was indeed foreseen by G'd, that it does not represent either impotence or lack of foresight by the Creator. Ramban points out correctly, that had all these predictions starting with Deut. 4,25 "when you will beget children," been based merely on astrology, we would have believed in astrology, seeing that all these predictions have become true. How much more then must we believe in G'd who has recorded all these prophecies in the Torah so many years in advance of their happening. No doubt the as yet unfulfilled parts of the prophecies will come to pass in due course. When Moses refers to the fact that observance is not "a vain thing" (verse 47), he reiterates that nothing is preordained, and would therefore make the Torah meaningless, inconsequential in terms of history. The exercise of our will both individually and collectively, shapes our fate and determines the timing of events forecast in G'ds plan. "Through this thing you will prolong your days." (verse 47) Regardless of the need of the human condition to be perfected through the undergoing of experiences that will help refine and mature it, observance of Torah at any given time, ensures for its adherents prolonged periods of well being on their own soil.

34. The Rabbi: Do not believe that I, though agreeing with thee, admit that we are dead. We still hold connexion with that Divine Influence through the laws which He has placed as a link between us and Him. There is circumcision, of which it is said: 'My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant' (Genesis 17:13). There is further the Sabbath, 'It is a sign between me and you throughout your generations' (Exodus 31:13). Besides this there is 'the covenant of the Fathers,' and the covenant of the law, first granted on Hōreb, and then in the plains of Moab in connexion with the promises and warnings laid down in the section: When thou shalt beget children and grandchildren' (Deuteronomy 4:25). Compare further the antithesis: 'If any of thine be driven out unto the utmost parts of heaven' (Deuteronomy 30:10); 'Thou shalt return unto the Lord thy God' (Deuteronomy 30:2), finally, the song: 'Give ear' (Deuteronomy 32:1); and other places. We are not like dead, but rather like a sick and attenuated person who has been given up by the physicians, and yet hopes for a miracle or an extraordinary recovery, as it is said: 'Can these bones live?' (Ezekiel 37:3). Compare also the simile in the words: 'Behold my servant shall prosper'; 'He has no form nor comeliness,' 'Like one from whom men hid their faces' (Isaiah 52:13; which means that he is, on account of his deformity and repulsive visage, compared to an unclean thing, which man only beholds with disgust, and turns away; 'Despised and rejected of men,' 'A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief' (Isaiah 53:3).

35. Al Khazari: How can this serve as a comparison for Israel, as it is said: 'Surely he has borne our griefs?' That which has befallen Israel has come to pass on account of its sins.