Miller’s Musings Parshas Devorim: A Real Peace of Work

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Quote of the Week: “When your heart is happy, your mind is free.”

Miller’s Musings

Parshas Devarim

A Real Peace of Work

Replacing Moshe would be an impossible task, but finding people to support the heavy burden that he shouldered alone, was far more feasible. Moshe felt the pressure of contending with the Jewish nation’s foibles and grievances too much for him, so he enlisted the assistance of the greatest men from each tribe to help bear some of the weight. Moshe was told to search for those that were “wise and understanding” but the people selected were described as “wise and well known.” Rashi comments that the implication of this was that he did not manage to procure men who were understanding for this task. This, asks the sefer Har Sinai, seems rather strange. Could he not find one from each tribe that possessed this attribute of understanding?

Of the many aspects of the human psyche, one of our most curious and enduring, is our ability to see others only in ways that confirm our previously held beliefs. No matter what the evidence to the contrary, if we want to believe something of someone else, we will find the substantiation to support this notion. When there is peace and goodwill between people, we are able to recognize and acknowledge their fine points, even if we ourselves pale in comparison. But if there is some acrimony or hostility, no matter how blatant the other person’s qualities are, we will do all we can to ignore and deny them. There may be some virtues that are impossible to refute, such as one whose intellect is indisputable. But if there is a positive trait that can be contested, it will be contested, if there is ill-will within the one who would evaluate it. This Parsha is a masterclass in how to impart ethical teachings. Moshe utilises subtle yet effective hints to ensure the Jewish people understand and, just as importantly, accept his messages. Here too Moshe is alluding to one of their shortcomings. For although he was able to locate men who were wise, as was “well known to your tribes”, for this was something that could not be refuted. But since there was a lack of unity in each tribe, he could not find someone that they would recognise as understanding, a quality that is open to interpretation. The absence of harmony meant that they would not see all the good in each other.

If you can forgive me for harping on once again about the need for peace, let us focus on one more aspect of its significance. We spoke previously of the need to love peace and crave it, but if this is not something one naturally feels it can be a difficult level to aspire to. Considering the tremendous negativity that is generated by bitterness or discord maybe one way of developing these feelings. When we cannot even acknowledge someone else’s goodness, are we not entering this world of negativity? Are we not bringing down all that is around us? This is but one example of the consequence of conflict. But the nature of such feelings is that they cast a dark shadow over so much of our life that we are unable to enjoy or appreciate because of the enmity in our relationships. If we cannot do it for the greater good, to repair the destruction that has brought us into exile, let us do it for our own sake. To bring more light into our existence and to inhabit a space where we see all that is good. There is in truth so much.

*May peace bring light to all we see this Shabbos*

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