Contemplation: The Key to Repentance

By Rabbi Moshe Krieger, Yeshivas Bircas HaTorah (www.bircas.org)

Parashas Devarim begins with Moshe Rabbeinu listing a number of places where the Jewish nation stopped during their journey: Eiver HaYarden, the Aravah, across from the Yam Suf, and more. Rashi (Devarim 1:1) says that each location mentioned is in fact a veiled rebuke for a sin committed in that place. Moshe refrained from rebuking the people explicitly, only hinting at these sins to preserve the honor of the Jewish nation. Rashi adds (ibid. 1:3) that Moshe rebuked the nation close to his death to spare them the shame that they would feel in his presence.

The haftarah that we read the same week as this Parashah is in stark contrast to this sensitivity. Yeshaya HaNavi did not spare any sharp or pointed words. He called the Jews of his time “a people of sinners,” Yeshaya1:4 “a nation heavy with wrongdoing,” and “destructive children.” He compared them to animals: Yeshaya 1:3 “Even an ox knows its master, and a donkey [knows] who fills its trough, but Yisrael does not!” The Navi’s words are scathing; each phrase is a slap.

Why was his approach so different? Why was  he not concerned about the honor of the Jews?

Rav Leib Chasman raises this question in Ohr Yahel. He answers that we can see from Yeshaya’s statement why he chose to speak in such harsh terms. “Even an ox knows its master . . . my nation does not, my people did not contemplate (hisbonen).”

In the times of Moshe Rabbeinu, the Jews were closer to Hashem and to an understanding of their purpose. The slightest hint was all that was necessary to motivate them to improve, because hisbonenus (contemplation, reflecting on Hashem’s greatness and our awesome obligation to serve Him) was a constant part of their life.

In Yeshaya’s time, though, people were far removed from the idea of hisbonenus. Hashem played a very small role in the lives that they were living. Yeshaya saw it necessary to use harsh words of rebuke in order to shock the people back into reality.

Rav Chasman goes on to say that hisbonenus is the key to bringing us closer to Hashem, and it must play a very important role in our lives. It is true that the ox instinctively knows who its master is, but we can only come to recognition of our Master through hisbonenus.

How do we do hisbonenus?

The Navi’s words (Yeshaya 40:26) are quite clear: “Lift your eyes heavenwards and behold Who created all this!” When we see the stars, the planets, and the breathtaking loftiness of the universe, we discern the Hand of the Creator immediately. The more we reflect on this, the more we realize that the Creator has a purpose for us in His creation.

Next, reflect on the miracles that Hashem performed for His people. Think about the Exodus, when a nation of over two million people was taken out of Egypt with myriad miracles—the Ten Plagues, kri’as Yam Suf, the ananei hakavod, and much more. Think about the giving of the Torah, when every Jewish man, woman, and child heard the first two commandments directly from Hashem Himself. The more you contemplate, the more Hashem becomes a living reality to you. When this happens, you feel deeply obligated to fulfill your purpose, like the Jews in the desert and not like the generation of Yeshaya.

Rav Shach would often review the parshiyos of Bereishis and Shemos, even when they were not being read that week. He would say that if a person would be misbonein about creation, yetzi’as Mitzrayim, and the giving of the Torah, this would bring him to a faith so crystal clear and palpable that it becomes part of his very essence and steels him for any tests that he may encounter.

HaRav Reuven Fine notes that we should devote time for hisbonenus about Hashem’s Hand in our personal lives. We can all look back and remember times that Hashem somehow got us out of a difficult situation, danger, or sickness. Every marriage is made to happen with Hashem’s guiding Hand, as Chazal state in Mo’ed Kattan (18b). Thinking about Hashem’s hashgachah is a way to strengthen our feeling of gratefulness to Hashem.

In Eretz Yisrael, hundreds and hundreds of rockets have been launched against populated areas, yet they have barely caused damage. Even some Arab leaders have admitted that the G-d of the Jews helps us! Even if we take the defense system called Iron Dome into account, it is public knowledge that the system has a ten percent margin of error. Hundreds of rockets should have slipped through the system, G-d forbid, and yet, to date we have been witness to the opposite. At times, almost every radio update included a statement about rockets fired at cities: “They fell in open areas. No one was injured.” It is up to us to think about this, talk about it, and praise Hashem. Realize that Hashem is indeed with us at all times, and we are His nation. (Of course, we must continue to daven for the safety of the Jews in Eretz Yisrael.)

May we be zocheh to feel Hashem’s presence through hisbonenus!

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