Last week we began reading the Book of Devorim. It is also know as ‘Sefer Ha’yahsar’ – ‘The Book of the Straight’. This is because it contains within the following verse – from this weeks Parshah, “And you should do what is fair (Yashar) … so that … you shall come and take possession of the good land that Hashem swore to your forefathers”. This verse is actually the source of living ’above the letter of the law’.
Indeed the Gemora comments that due to the fact that people refused to go above the strict letter of the law, Yerushalayim was destroyed. This is evident in the verse, where acting ‘yashar’ is directly linked to possession of Eretz Yisroel.
But why is it so essential to go ’above the letter of the law’. Isn’t just 613 Mitzvahs enough? Why is it the cause of the Exile and ultimately the key to the redemption?
When we make do with the bare minimum in our Mitzvah observance then we akin to a slave who just does the job he has been asked to do. But when we take on extras, then we are like the son of the boss – who out of his care for the family business will go the extra mile. R’ Avrohom of Slonim says that this what we say three times on Rosh Hashanah, “Today all creatures of the world stand in judgement, whether as children or as servants”. We are being judged on how we serve our Boss – like mere slaves or like children.
The frills in Judaism may only be the icing on the cake, but it is precisely these small undertakings, above the letter of the law that are indicative of our standard, our driving force – do we perform out of love or out of fear? This is perhaps why exile and redemption hinge on our going above the letter of the law. The difference defines our whole method of serving Hashem.
We all know the story of Rochel and how she handed over the secret signs made between her and husband-to-be Yaakov – so as not to embarrass her sister Leah when she was presented to Yaakov for marriage in place of Rochel – a true act of Chessed. The Medresh on the Book of Eichah describes how all the forefathers and Moshe plead before Hashem to bring the redemption. Yet it is ‘Mama Rochel’ who holds the key to cry before Hashem to bring the Redemption. Hashem has to silence her cries, and tells her that, “there is reward to your (crying) action” – redemption will eventually arrive in your merit.
What was it about Rochel more than anyone else that only she can plead our cause?
Reb Zvi Kushelevsky explained how Rochel’s act was more than just the external act of Chessed stemming from her not being jealous of her sister. We find that when Reuven – son of sister Leah – brings home ‘dudaim’, Rochel asks her sister Leah for the ‘dudaim’ which according to many commentators were considered natural treatment for those who had not been blessed with children. – something Rochel very much craved. Leah answers her request as follows: “is it not enough that you take my husband [Yaakov lived mainly in the tent of Rochel] that you also want to take the ‘dudaim’ of my son?”. Astounding words! She only was married to Yaakov because of her sisters’ selfless act of Chessed and yet she has the audacity to talk to Rochel like this?
Explained Reb Zvi: when Rochel gave over the signs she made Leah feel so great about getting them, that Leah thought that it was only right and fair that she should have the signs! What Rochel must have said was, “you’ve been such a good older sister, you looked after me so much, I owe you my life, the least I can do for you is help you learn the relevant laws about getting married”; which were the secret signs between Yaakov and Rochel. Leah never even knew about Rochel’s selfless act! Leah felt so deserving of the signs that many years later she had complaints on Rochel for taking away her husband. Now we get a glimpse into the world of real Chessed, the type of Chessed where the recipient doesn’t even feel that he is one.
It goes a little deeper. Rochel would have been fully justified when she gave over the signs in telling Leah what was really going on. But she didn’t – she went up and above the letter of the law and did it incognito. But she didn’t stop there. Many years later after she suffered being childless, she suddenly sees an opportunity for a cure. But she ends up receiving a barrage of insults from Leah none the less! Surely at least now she could justify taking her sister aside and explaining to her the truth. But no – again she bites her tongue and bears the torments. We see that it wasn’t just the fact that she wasn’t jealous that made her so amazing it was the way she acted way beyond the letter of the law.
Now we can fully understand why it is this level – of going that extra bit above the letter of the law that is the key to ending our exile. It is Rochel, the one who went way way beyond her call of duty who holds the key to our redemption. May we truly emulate her behavior and serve Hashem like we are sons of the Boss – doing so with enthusiasm like only a son can. May we merit seeing the coming of Moshiach speedily in our days.
Good Shabbos, Yaakov.
