As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And you spoke up and said: We have sinned to Hashem. We shall go up and fight, as all that Hashem commanded us.” (1:41)

“And Hashem said to me, say to them, you shall not go up.” (1:42)

Here we see a remarkable lesson. The people regretted their previous attitude and they confessed their Sin (”We have sinned”), and now they were ready to perform the duty which they had before feared to do. Why was their repentance rejected, and Hashem forbade them to go?

We are accustomed to the attitude that although we postpone we can always repent and accomplish even later whatever we should have done earlier. But here we learn that Hashem often offers certain opportunities at a certain time, and if not utilized by us, the opportunity is lost forever. Whatever we do subsequently to fulfill our duty is not the same as having done it at the proper time.

But here there was an especial reason why Hashem rejected their offer to obey, for His intention was to keep the Nation together under the direct tutelage of Moshe for 40 years in the Wilderness.

“You are passing by the border of your brothers the sons of Esav.” (2:3) Also: “Our brothers the sons of Esav.” (2:8) Also: “You shall not abhor an Edomi, for he is your brother.” (23:8)

The enormous importance of kinship is here emphasized. And not only is this emotion and attitude incumbent upon the holy nation of Israel, but even the Edomites are blamed for forgetting the bond of brotherhood: “because he pursued his brother with the sword.” Amos (1:11) If such is the obligation of brotherhood between long separated offspring of the two estranged brothers, then how many times more is the obligation of brotherhood between the sons of Israel!

In view of this lesson, the words “Your brother” as used everywhere in the Torah in reference to a fellow Isarelite, acquire a more powerful and realistic interpretation. If toward an Edomite we must feel an emotion of brotherhood, then how many thousands of brotherhood should we feel toward a fellow Israelite? And we may add, how much more powerful (than these thousands of degrees of emotion) should be the feelings toward a brother, the son of your parents.

Quoted from “Fortunate Nation” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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