5785/2025
In this week's Parashah we have the Tochachah, where Hashem spells out the blessings and abundance we will receive when we follow what Hashem demands of us. On the other hand, the Torah describes the hardship and difficulties we will endure when we stray away from Hashem’s word.
It is striking when reviewing the Berachot and the Klalot, one notices that both only talk about what will happen to us in the physical sense. How the land will be a great source of income if we are doing the Ratzon Hashem. On the other hand, if we are not fulfilling the Ratzon Hashem, how much we will suffer absent the land’s productivity.
Many have wondered why all the rewards and punishments listed are all physical. Why the heavy emphasis on materialism? What about the rewards and the punishments in the world of Ruchniyut? Why does the Torah not stress all the good that will emerge in our Ruchniyut when acting correctly, and Chas VeShalom what will happen if we are not?
To answer this question, we need to examine what the purpose and character of the Torah. When examining in further depth, it is clear the Torah highlights the relationship between us as a nation and Hashem. To fulfill the Torah, means to advance and strengthen the relationship between us and Hashem.
All of the Ruchniyut reward and punishment one would receive is very individualized; it is only between that particular person and Hashem. Granted, we can learn many lessons on how we can attain great Ruchniut from the Torah, but as a whole, the Torah discusses the rewards and punishment of the Klal. Hashem created us as individuals and we need to work and figure out how we can be the best possible Ovdei Hashem. But that is not the whole purpose of the Torah. The Torah was given to us to strengthen the relationship we have with Hashem and His nation as a whole
As we turn the page from Lag Ba’Omer and we start to think ahead to Shavuot, we learn and understand that the Torah was given to us when we were Ke’ish Echad Be’Lev Echad. The Torah could only be given to a nation that was working together in strengthening its relationship with Hashem.