Parshas Re’eh- Remember Who You Are
Rabbi Mendel Senderovic, Rosh Kollel
We are accustomed to being taught to recognize the preciousness of our fellow beings. The inherent value in each and every Jew obligates us to hold them in the high esteem that they deserve. However, the Lakewood Rosh Hayeshiva, Rav Aharon Kotler ztvk”l, points out that this week’s parsha presents us with an important key that helps us unlock the door to success in our service of Hashem. It is the recognition of the great value and significance that we ourselves possess, and that is inherent in each and every one of us.
Bonim atem L’ashem Elokeichem, lo sisgod’du v’lo sosimu korcho bein eineichem lomeis (D’vorim 14:1). “You are children to Hashem, your G-d, you shall not cut yourselves and you shall not make a bald spot between your eyes [in mourning] for a deceased person.” Rashi comments: “Because you are children of Hashem, you are fit to be handsome, not cut or made bald.”
The Torah is not engaging in hyperbole in describing us as Hashem’s children. Our relationship with our Creator is the same as that of a prince to his father, the king. Awareness of this fact should guide us in all our actions. If we are obligated to be “handsome” in our physical appearance, how much more so do we need to take care to keep our spiritual appearance in order. Every step we take must be befitting of the prominence and royalty within us. One who is oblivious to how precious he is, is no different than a wealthy man who is unaware of the riches he possesses. There is none poorer than he.
The Rosh Hayeshiva points out that our Sages teach us (Kiddushin 40b) that “one who eats in the street, is disqualified from testifying in court.” These words are echoed by the Rambam who writes (Eidus 11:5): “Those that are repulsive are disqualified from testifying.” From here it is evident that someone lacking in self-worth cannot be trusted. The premise upon which testimony of witnesses is accepted in court, is the feeling “how can I do such a despicable act as testify falsely?!” If someone behaves in a manner that belies his great potential and inherent aristocratic nature, and he considers himself to be of the spiritual underclass of society, then there is nothing that can prevent him from veering from the truth.
Our sages in Pirkei Avos (2:18) exhort us: “Do not judge yourself to be a wicked person!” If a person should be so unfortunate as to give up on himself, and to feel undeserving of Divine assistance, he is surely doomed to fail.
As we embark on the path of t’shuvah this month of Elul, let us keep this perspective in the forefront of our thoughts - remembering who we are, and Whose children we are. Let all our actions be befitting of the royalty that each and every one of us possesses within us. The most powerful and effective rebuke one can receive when confronted with a challenge is telling ourselves “Es passt nisht” – it is beneath us.
May we all merit a sweet year filled with the blessings of Hashem’s bounty, and much success in all our spiritual and material endeavors.