One would think that a state of peace and tranquility, everyone living in harmony and satisfaction, without any risk of starvation or thirst in the world, would be an ideal state of existence. However, we see from this week’s Torah portion of Haazinu that this is not necessarily true.
The Torah states: “Jeshurun became fat and kicked. You became fat, you became thick, you became corpulent and it deserted G-D it’s Maker” (Devarim 32:15).
The Malbim explains that the simple understanding of this pasuk is “when people become fat due to aforementioned delights they begin to be lacks in serving Hashem just like an animal, because of being overstuffed with food given to him he will kick when he is given more food, as if showing he doesn’t want it and your goodness. When these people are in the greatest shape and health then they will completely leave serving Hashem and will live the rest of their lives with delight of mankind [and fun]. Once they are lenient in serving Hashem and cling to the delights then they will start doing disgusting things and everything Hashem has commanded not to do, to the point that they will do chillul Hashem, profaning Hashem’s Name because Hashem is the Rock of their salvation, and to do disgusting things will be profaning His Great Name…”
The Sifri points out that throughout history when people have become satiated they have rebelled. “They rebelled out of food, drink and tranquility.” The Sifri lists and proves how this happened time and time again. By the generation of the flood, by the people of Sedom, by the Tower of Babel, by the generation of the Jews in the desert, by the children if Iyov, by the ten tribes, and by the Jews who were warned before entering the land of Canaan, that they should be careful lest they become satiated and rebel. By the Tower of Babel the Sifri says “Hashem warned them that because of the good I have bestowed upon you, you have become haughty.” The Raavad there comments that the pasuk about the people of Babel that ‘and it was that the land was all one language’ means that they were satiated and tranquil, as the meaning of the verse ‘and they were grazing in the marshlands’ (Breishis 41:18). When there is satiation in the world there is brotherhood and peace in the world. By Sodom the Sifri says “they had food, silver, and gold and they decided because of that not to be nice to other people who visit them. Hashem said because of the good I have bestowed upon you, you decided to forget basic decency with dealing with others, therefore I will cause you to be forgotten from the world.”
The Sifri later says “And so it will also be found that in the days of Moshiach they will only rebel because of food, drink, and tranquility, what is said about them? ‘And Jeshurun became fat and kicked’. It can be compared (משל) to a person who had a calf. He would rub it, scratch it, and feed it so that it would plow for him. As it got older the owner put a yoke on the calf; it leaped and broke the yoke, and snapped the ropes attached to the yoke. About this the pasuk says, ‘You have broken wooden bars’ (Yirmiyahu 28:13). The Raavad has a blaring question on this Sifri. How is it possible that in the days of Moshiach Jews would be rebelling? He answers that it must be the Sifri is referring to the rest of the nations of the world and not the Jews (even though Jeshurun is normally referring to the Jews). He concludes that this fits well with a few lines later in the Sifri which discusses the three generations before Moshiach comes. The Sifri says there, “‘You became fat, thick and corpulent’ refers to the three generations before the days of Moshiach as it says ‘Its land became full of silver and gold, with no end to its treasures; its land became full of horses with no end to its chariots. Then its land became full of false gods’ (Yeshayahu 2:7,8).” The Raavad comments at this point that this is referring to the three generations of gentiles right before the advent of Moshiach. That because of their wealth they will go overboard in rebelling and will be haughty, with their false gods and statues. (Click here for Hebrew text.)
One would think, using logic, that the opposite should be true. When people are neglected, abused, and depreciated, then rebellions unfold and uprisings take place. Which is true to one extreme. But the other extreme, when people are living the life of luxury and they have ample food and drink to live in harmony and peace with each other, having fun and enjoying the good life, even though this is all a blessing from Hashem, time and again we see that people forget Hashem and act in the most despicable ways. Why is this? Wouldn’t one think that if Hashem gives so much good to us we should have such a recognition of that good that we should thank Him and feel a sense of gratitude, indebted, and ready to do anything for The Giver of all that good? Imagine everyone unified, like in the generation of the Tower of Babel, and instead of waging war against G-D they said thank you to Him. Yet the medrish says they were ingrates, haughty because they had everything. Why does this happen?
It would seem that when we get a taste or a feeling of independence then it’s a part of human nature, and seemingly as well animal instinct, to want to rebel and deny or forget where all the tranquility, all the food, drink, and satiation came from. This is not to say that when people are “pampered” and are given wealth and riches, ample food and drink, peace and happiness, Hashem sets people up to be bad and do the wrong thing. Rather, it is simply a big test for people to overcome that taste of independence. To remember, rather, the importance of having a feeling of dependency on Hashem, because He in fact provides everyone with all their needs and without Him the world would just cease to exist.
Working on one’s emunaand bitachon, belief and trust in Hashem is a means or a reminder where everything comes from, and building our proper intent, kavana in davening will keep that faith in Hashem constant.
May you be sealed in the Book of Life this Yom Kippur, & Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Dovid Shmuel Milder