Finding Favor
God values our determination and steadfastness in the face of adversity.
As we approached the end of Tisha B’Av yesterday evening, we discussed how this day of mourning, along with its follow-up, Shabbat Nachamu, can help us deal with the painful current events going on in Israel, and find at least a theoretical solution to the discord.
We explained that aveilut, the mourning process of Tisha B’Av, and the days leading up to it, teach us that the source of our problem is the concept of chinam (free), as in sinat chinam (translated as ‘baseless hatred), bechiya shel chinam (crying for nothing), as well as other examples, which all relate to the issue of becoming complacent in our meaningful relationships. Aveilut followed by Nechama (consolation) can show us how to nurture meaningful relationships. But the truth is, as we concluded the class, I think we were all left with the feeling that the task before us is too daunting; it’s hard to believe that we’re up to the challenge.
However, I think we might find inspiration and hope in this week's Parsha, which always coincides with Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat that follows Tisha B’Av and introduces the “shiva dinichemta,” the seven weeks of consolation leading up to the new year
Parshat Va’etchanan starts with Moses asking God to be allowed to enter the land of Israel, despite God's decree. The term Va’etchanan, which connotes an appeal to God's mercy, is unusual because the more common word for prayer is tefillah, so it may seem that the Parsha should have been named “Va’etpalel.” To understand the significance of the term Vaetchanan, we must consider the timing of this week's parsha, which coincides with Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat following Tisha B'Av.
The word Vaetchanan is rooted in "chein," meaning charm or charisma, while "nachamu" is rooted in "nach," which means rest. Interestingly, these two words share the same hebrew letters in reverse order. This connection brings to mind the juxtaposition of these words in Parshat Bereisheet, when Noach found favor in the eyes of God, v’Noach Matza Chein B’einei Hashem.
Why did Noach find favor? Some might think that God's selection of individuals like Avraham and Noach was arbitrary, but that notion contradicts our belief in the meaningfulness of life and significance of our choices. God's special treatment of Noach was not random; it was because of his actions. Rashi explains that Noach created the plow, bringing great consolation to the world. While others hesitated to act in the face of the recently cursed ground, Noach faced the challenge and created a viable farming tool. He didn't assume the worst and give up; he persevered. This determination is why he found favor in God's eyes.
A similar determination is evident in Vaetchanan. Moses did his best to convince God to reconsider, despite the seemingly poor odds of God changing his own decree. Some commentators suggest that God told Moses to stop praying because he was becoming so persuasive that if Moses persisted, God might have actually changed His mind.
There is a powerful insight here, particularly applicable to these challenging times. Yes, if we face facts, it’s certainly easy to dwell on the obstacles confronting Israel and the Jewish people right now. But if we heed the lesson of Va’etchanan, we can restore our hope by remembering that God does not want us to become mired in pessimism. The message of Tisha B’Av, Shabbat Nachamu, and our Parsha is that we can find favor in the eyes of God if we demonstrate our willingness to tackle the impossible. If we show creative perseverance, which most certainly includes prayer, then we will find the way forward to the peace and unity that God wants for us in Israel and among all the Jewish people.
On this Shabbat Nachamu, may we find inspiration in the examples of Noah and Moses, remembering that God values our determination and steadfastness in the face of adversity and that we too can find favor in the eyes of God by demonstrating this persistence. Shabbat Shalom.