Consequences

Ekev

Deut. 7:12 - 11:25

Précis: Moses continues his recapitulation of the commandments to the people, reminding them to be obedient to God’s laws in their forthcoming struggle with the Canaanites. Moses describes in detail all of the blessings which God had already provided them, and reminds them to bless and thank God for the bounty they receive. On the other hand, they should learn the dangerous lesson of rebelliousness of their fathers, including the incident of the Golden Calf. Moses reminds the people that he brought down a second set of tablets, which require their continued obedience to God.

Deut. 11:13-14 “And it will come to pass, if you listen diligently to My commandments which I command you this day, to love Adonai your God and serve Adonai with all your soul, that I will give rain in your land in due season.”

            The meaning of this parasha can be easily summed up: actions have consequences. We observe that our tradition is clear about this matter each time we recite the Sh’ma when we recite this verse. But then we see the alternative: "Take care not to be lured away to serve other gods and bow down to them. For the Lord's anger will flare up against you and God will shut up the skies so that there will be no rain. The ground will not yield its produce and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving to you."

            Some view this dichotomy in a very literal sense: Whenever something bad happens to us or to the Jewish People, it’s because we have failed to follow the commandments. When things go well, we can assume it is because we have been living a good life.
              

            For me, I cannot make this a basis for my personal belief system. Too many bad things happens to too many good people, and vice versa. Having said that, however, I do believe, and believe strongly, that actions have consequences. What do you believe?

Honoring Our Parents

Va'ethanan

Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11

Précis: Moses continues the recapitulation of travels, and urges the People to follow the laws and commandments of Adonai. Moses pleads with God that he be allowed to enter the Promised Land, and is refused. Moses reminds the people that God was angry with him on account of their sinful ways, and therefore was refused permission to enter the Land. Moses continues with a restatement of the Ten Commandments, and follows with an articulation of the basic element of Jewish theology: the Sh’ma. Moses then warns the people against the perils of forgetfulness, particularly of the Exodus, and cautions against idol worship of gods of the nations they will conquer.

Deut. 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

            In reviewing this verse, I decided to take a look at what Maimonides had to say about exactly how one is to go about observing this commandment. In Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Mamrim, Chapter 6, we find the following:

            “1) Honoring one’s father and mother is a positive commandment of great importance, as is fearing one’s father and mother. The Torah equates this honor and fear with that of God Himself…

            3) What is meant by fear and what is meant by honor? Fear [is expressed by] not standing in his place, not sitting in his place, not contradicting his words, not offering an opinion that outweighs him… What is meant by honoring them? One should bring them food and drink, clothe them and cover them from their own resources. If a father does not have financial resources and a son does, the son is compelled to sustain his father and mother according to his capacity…

            7) To what degree does the mitzvah of honoring one’s parents extend? Even if one’s parent takes his gold and throws it into the sea in his presence, he should not embarrass them, shout, or vent anger at them…

            10) When a person’s father or mother loses control of their mental faculties, their son should try to conduct this relationship with them according to their mental condition until God has mercy on them. If it is impossible to remain with them because they have become very deranged, he should leave them, depart, and charge others with caring for them in an appropriate manner.”

            I find these excerpts to be amazingly thoughtful and current. It is a true testament to the mind of Rambam that what he expressed almost a millennium ago remains powerfully relevant today. For those of us in the so-called “sandwich generation” the guidance he offers is a manifestation of timeless thoughtfulness and consideration which underlies this ancient commandment.