The Blessings at the beginning of this week’s sidrah are wide in scope
and rich in the promise of reward for those who live in accordance with the
statutes and commandments of the Torah.
They fall into three clearly defined groups. The first holds out the promise
of prosperity for the agriculture-based economy of Israel – “the land shall
yield her produce, and the trees of the field their fruit.” Secondly, the
security of the nation is guaranteed against both internal and external
threats – “I will cause evil beasts to cease out of the land, neither shall
the sword go through your land.”
Nevertheless, a sublime existence of material abundance within secure
borders is as yet incomplete without the third and climactic blessing of
spiritual well-being – “I will be your G-d, and you shall be My people.”
Curiously concealed in this last section, however, is a blessing which seems
to have been misplaced. “You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall
bring forth the old the old from the new” guarantees abundance and
continuity of harvests and would appear at first to lack the spiritual
dimension of its neighbouring blessings.
The commentators reveal that this verse masks a message. Just as the farmer
is aware that, for all his well-laid plans and most prudent precautions, the
success of his crop is subject to the vagaries of climate, disease and
elements beyond his control, so that the nation, in looking to the young to
provide continuity of leadership and sustained growth in the future, must
appreciate the role of the Divine in attaining its aims.
Not all had the good fortune of a David to witness the ascent of Solomon, or
that of a Matthias to witness that of Judah the Maccabbee. Many a generation
hung its head in dismay as it saw the ripe harvest of young leadership
blighted and ravaged by the storms of assimilation and persecution, never
again to rise.
The Torah declares that the ability and skills of the educator are no more a
guarantee of success than the toil and sweat of the farmer. Both must stand
side by side and pray for the Almighty’s blessing for the products of their
labour.
Rabbi YISROEL FINE.
