A sore thumb
If we look at our hands, there are four fingers and then a fifth finger
that is so different, it warrants a different name, a thumb. Despite its less
than regal name which means ‘swollen’, the thumb is the most important finger. Its movements and strength decides what makes
it into the hand and what doesn’t- it is the key to a good grip.
The number five’s claim to fame
is not only the hand, but also the famous five books. The fact that our hands, which
help us act in the world, are modeled after the Torah which also helps us act
in this world is no surprise. But the comparison goes deeper as they are
structured similarly.
The last book, Devarim, is akin to the thumb in many respects as it is
set apart from the other books in both tone and content. The tone is more human
and the content is largely a repetition with explanation of what came
before. Even on a technical level, each
of the previous books begins with a connective letter ‘vav’, which means ‘and’:
V’ele Shemos, Vayikra, Vayomer Hashem Bamidbar
since they all flow naturally from the first book Bereishit, while Devarim
starts without a ‘vav’ to signal that it is different.[1]
In Bereishit we find out there is a creator involved in the world, and
then in Shemos the plagues demonstrate G-d is One and controls everything, and
then in Varyikra we are commanded to bring sacrifices as a constant reminder that
everything is part of G-d, and finally we have Bamidbar that expresses the idea
that G-d’s unity is most easily seen in the land of Israel, ironically in today’s
fractured age. Where does Devarim fit in
to the picture?
It fits as the human struggle
with the previous ideas- would they receive it, would the thumb chose to grasp
it or let go?[2]
Moses admonishes the Jewish people in his own words throughout and reminds them
of how they erred. It is clear that the idea of One G-d involved in the world was
a tough pill to swallow even then, revelation and all. But, as we approach T’Sha Be’av, we are
reminded that our struggle with these ideas is not worth it as the alternative
is much worse. When we don’t integrate values that befit the knowledge of one
G-d into our life and treat each other accordingly, the result is opposite of
connection, ‘chibur’ and becomes ‘cherev’ distruction.[3]
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