Perashat Debarim 5778

Perashat Debarim 5778

On Tish'a BeAb we commemorate the destruction of our Holy Temple through fasting and prayers. According to the midrash in Eikha Rabah 24, Yirmiyahu implored the Holy Patriarchs in their resting place to intervene on behalf of the Jewish people. He called upon Abraham, Yisshak, Ya'akob and Moshe Rabenu, to plead mightily with Hashem and evoke their personal heroism for the sake of Am Yisrael. 

The Midrash says that each made their case as follows: Abraham beseeched, "Master of the world! How I had longed for a child, and at age 100, You graciously gave me a son. When you told me to bring him as an Olah offering, I did not hesitate to do Your will. Do my children not deserve a better fate?" Yisshak Abinu said, "I was 37 years old during the Akeidah. I could have resisted being brought as an Olah, but I was ready to give up my life for You. Don't my children deserve something better?" Ya'akob Abinu and Moshe Rabenu made similar pleas, but Hashem remained silent to all.

Rahel Imenu saw that the Patriarch's prayers were not answered and interjected, "Master of the world! You know how much I loved Ya'akob. I knew that my father was a scoundrel and could substitute my sister for me. I gave Ya'akob a secret code whereby he could detect the ruse, but when I realized that if he used the code he would expose the ruse and Leah would be publicly humiliated, I gave Leah the secret code. I was willing to surrender the man I loved to my sister to prevent a few minutes of humiliation. Don't I deserve better than to see my children suffer?" To this Hashem responded, "In your merit, Rahel, your children will one day be returned to their land."

Why is it that G-d listened to Rahel but not the Patriarchs? What is the secret of Rahel's entreaty? 

After Rahel heard the pleadings of the Patriarchs and saw that G-d did not respond, she intuited that in this case, the great and almost superhuman actions of the Patriarchs were not prevailing. Therefore, Rahel presented a personal deed in merit of the family, rather than one on a grand national scale. Rahel's mercy for Leah was a great personal sacrifice so that she would spare her sister humiliation.

Perhaps the Beit Hamikdash will not be rebuilt solely on the actions of greatSaddikim whose service of G-d is almost impossible to replicate. Instead, the hastening of the redemption will be brought about by us performing actions like Rahel's, those in which we show love and sensitivity to our fellow brethren.

On these days in which we mourn the Temple's destruction, let us remember Rahel's kindness and try to emulate her behavior. Through this we will bring about the promise that was made to her, "Veshabu banim ligbulam", "Your children shall return to their country" (Jeremiah 31:16).

Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Mimoun Miller