An Impactful Confluence

Torah Thoughts on Parshas Devarim by Rabbi Haim Pollock

Parashas Devarim is always read on the Shabbos immediately preceding the Fast of Tisha B’Av. This year, when the fast immediately follows Shabbas Devarim, the connection begs to be investigated. The apparent reason for the juxtaposition of Parashas Devarim to Tisha B’Av is that the theme of Sefer Devarim is one of tochechah – rebuke, and what could be a greater rebuke to the Jewish People than the destruction of our two Batei Mikdash that occurred on Tisha B’Av.

However, it is terribly incorrect to interpret rebuke as an indication of hopelessness, that Israel is eternally condemned because of its misdeeds. The Torah makes that point clear when we read in Parashas Kedoshim (Vayikra 19:17):

"לֹא תִשְׂנָא אֶת אָחִיךָ בִּלְבָבֶךָ הוֹכֵחַ תּוֹכִיחַ אֶת עֲמִיתֶךָ וְלֹא תִשָׂא עָלָיו חֵטְא"

“Do not hate your brother in your heart; you shall surely rebuke your friend and not put a sin upon him.”

Rebuke is corrective. Seeking to help the other is a sign of love; the absence of such seeking is a sign of hate. The rebuke of Moshe Rabbeinu in Parashas Devarim teaches us of the hope that Hashem has for His People – a desire for change and for repentance.

And that is the message of joining Parashas Devarim with Tisha B’Av: even in the face of destruction, hope is not lost.

The Midrash in Bereshis takes Hashem’s word to Adam: "אַיֶכָּה" – “where are you?” – and reads it as "אֵיכָה", the word of lamentation that is the title of the Megillah read on Tisha B’Av as well as a word of lament early in this week’s parashah. Perhaps we can take that word “אֵיכָה”, a symbol of mourning, and change it to "אַיֶכָּה" – “where are you?

In Parashas Devarim and on Tisha B’Av, Hashem calls to us and says “Where are you?” He awaits our response!

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Rabbi Haim Pollock received semichah and a Doctor of Hebrew Literature from HTC. He served as the Dean of Michlalah-Jerusalem College for close to three decades and is now its Senior Consultant. Prior to his family’s Aliyah, Rabbi Pollock held many educational and Rabbinic positions in the Chicago area, including Principal of the Fasman Yeshiva High School and Rav of Congregation Or Torah.