2020/5781

Most of this week’s Parashah deals with Moshe Rabbeinu warning us of the consequences of abandoning Hashem for Avodah Zarah. He begins the Parashah by telling us that the punishment they will inevitably incur will be due to their own actions: “Shicheit Lo, Lo! Banav Mumam,” “Corruption is not his- the blemish is his children’s” (Devarim 32:5). Rashi, ibid s.v. Mumam, writes that the blemish is his children’s not His. Namely, when BneiYisrael are punished, it will be due to their blemish, not any fault of Hashem. However, at the conclusion of the Shirah, Moshe Rabbeinu reminds Bnei Yisrael that those who abandon Hashem will experience retribution, while those who stay true to Hashem will be avenged: “Harninu Goyim Amo Ki Dam Avadav Yikkom, VeNakam Yashiv LeTzarav VeChiper Admato Amo,” “Sing, nations, the praises of His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants; He will bring retribution upon His enemies and He will appease His land and His people” (Devarim 32:39).

Ramban, ibid s.v. Harninu Goyim Amo, writes that the conclusion to Shirat Ha’azinu is not contingent on Teshuvah. Rather, Ha’azinu is a testimony that eventually the Jewish people will sin and be punished, but we will not be completely destroyed. Hashem will eventually stop punishing us, and He will grant us atonement. Thus, Shirat Ha’azinu is a promise of redemption regardless of our actions.

In contrast, Rashi, ibid s.v. Harninu Goyim Amo, understands this pasuk to mean that at the time when this Pasuk is fulfilled, the nations of the world will praise Bnei Yisrael who clung to Hashem despite the tribulations of doing so. Additionally, Hashem will placate the Jews who clung to Him and suffered as a result. Furthermore, Rashbam, ibid s.v. Harninu Goyim Amo, writes that the nations of the world will praise Hashem as a way of serving Him, something which they learned from the Jewish people.

As Yom Kippur quickly approaches, we must keep Rashi and the Rashbam in mind. Oftentimes we are influenced by the culture around and their moral values. However, Ha’azinu comes to teach that our actions have consequences, and if we maintain fidelity to Hashem, then, eventually, the rest of the world will realize how praiseworthy a moral, Torah-based life is.