As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“If you walk with me by chance and you will not be willing to listen to me, I will add to you (retribution) seven times upon your sins.” (26:21)

“If I bring troubles upon you for punishment, and you consider them as mere accidents, I will again send you some of these ‘accidents’ as you call them, but of a more serious and troublesome character.” Why is the punishment for this attitude seven times as much as the punishment for the sin itself? The answer is that the sin of disbelief is seven times worse than any other sin. Therefore, when misfortune comes, we are expected to understand it as a message from Hashem. But when it is explained as a result of chance, this constitutes a very grave iniquity. Thus, the awareness that Hashem conducts all the affairs of the world is even more important than the fulfillment of the Mitzvot.

This is the same as saying “Idolatry is most severe, for all who deny idolatry are considered as accepting the entire Torah.” (Nedarim 25A) To attribute misfortune to chance is an idolatrous attitude, because any cause that is credited with power other than Hashem constitutes idolatry. Hashem indeed utilizes the causes, but they are His agents. When men credit the causes but do not think of the Master of the causes, they are thereby guilty of idolatry. Atheism is therefore the very worst idolatry.

According to this interpretation of ‘Keri’ (”by chance”), what is intended when Hashem declares that because of this attitude”I too shall walk with you by ‘Keri’?” (26:24) This is explained to mean that Hashem shall cause misfortunes to come in a manner that would seem as if He no longer supervised the affairs of His people and that He allowed chaos and random disorder to take charge.

But since the verse states “I too shall walk with you by ‘Keri’” it thereby implies that He continues to manage our affairs, and He merely creates the impression that they are chaotic accidents. This is the ‘Hester Panim’ (”concealing His face”) which is elsewhere mentioned. (Devarim 31:18)

Quoted from “A Kingdom of Cohanim” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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