9 Middot-Traits

A friend of mine once commented to me, following a Dvar Torah I gave - "You know, you don't always have to tie in a message at the end. I think you do. My father (HSLABW) set a good example for me of what people gain from and appreciating hearing/reading when it comes to Torah. The Torah is a Book of Life, and it's not to our benefit to view that title as a cliche' and flee from it. With that in mind, I present a thought on this week's parsha. I think, because it takes words that seem technical and relegated to a limited context and broadens them to timeless life lessons is one of the reasons it stayed with me.

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Devarim

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“These are the words that Moshe spoke

to all of Israel in Eiver Hyardein, in Midbar, in Arava,

opposite (Mul) Suf, between Paran and between Tofel,

and Lavan, and Chatzeirot, and Dei Zahav."

How could Moshe have spoken to The Jewish People in all of these places when he was standing in one place? Rashi famously explains that the name of each place is a hint for an Aveira that Am Yisrael did. The Ohr Hachayim suggests that these words allude to 9 essential character traits that Moshe was emphasizing to the Jewish People.

In Eiver alludes to the fact that we should follow in the foot steps of our father Avraham who was called Ivri.

Hayardein reminds us that we should have regret in our hearts; Chazal say better one feeling of regret(Mardut Echad) in a person's own heart, than receiving 100 makot (lashes).

Bamidbar reminds us that we should make ourselves like a desert, i.e. humble.

In Arava tells us that our humility should take place in an appropriate way, meaning that we shouldn’t use it as an excuse to hold back from correcting someone who has done something wrong. This is hinted to by the word Arava, which is similar to the word Areivut which means responsibility. Also, Be’ arava stands for Arvut, meaning sweetness. This means that even when we chastise someone we should do it in a pleasant way.

Mul Suf: Akavia Ben Mehalaleil, says that we should always remember that we will one day die, and that this can protect us from erring in our ways. Mul Suf, fits with this idea, telling us that our Sof, should always be opposite (Mul) our eyes.

Between Paran Uvein Tofel: the proper way to travel through life is with joy on our face, even when their is worry in our hearts. This is alluded to by the word Paran which has the same letters as Pe’air, glory, and the word Tophel which refers belittling ourselves. We must balance and live between these two extremes.

Lavan teaches us that our hearts should be pure, and we should distance ourselves from hatred and jealousy.

Chatzeirot reminds us to learn Torah regularly because the courtyards (Chatzeirot) of Hashem are Batai Medrashot.

Dei Zahav represents the concept of not longing for physical amenities in this world, meaning that we should say to Zahav (gold) “Dai!” (enough).

May G-d bless us to follow all the characteristics suggested by the words of this Pasuk.