It seems that there we are living in two different worlds. One world appears more “normal” to me. In this world, the Canada/U.S. border is at least partially completely open. Canadians are still waiting for the U.S. to permit them to drive across the border. Fully vaccinated Americans are allowed to drive across the border subject to covid test results prior to crossing the border. In this "more" normal or "almost normal" world, the Toronto Blue Jays are finally home and I can go to the ballpark, and people dutifully get vaccinated. In this "almost normal world" or "more normal" world, Ontario is now over 70% fully vaccinated and Canada is now over 60% fully vaccinated, masks are worn in public places and will be worn in schools. In this "almost normal" or "more normal" world, decisions seem to be made thoughtfully, cautiously, with the concern for the public good, and welfare to be the most important criteria. In the other world, the world on the other side of the border, where my parents live, my wife’s family lives, my sister and her family live, where one daughter lives and works and where two daughters are supposed to attend university, that world seems to be embroiled in an identity crisis. One part of that world, thankfully the places where my wife’s family, my family, and our daughters live, are similar to the "almost normal" or "more normal" world. Many are vaccinated, and while there were a few weeks where masks were not required in public places; now public masking indoors is necessary because of the strength of the Delta Variant. Owners of restaurants have determined that they will only permit vaccinated people onto their premises. Attending concerts requires proof of vaccination. Public safety and welfare decisions are made thoughtfully and cautiously based on science, data, and current conditions based on a concern for the welfare of the whole of society and special concern for the most vulnerable. In this second world, the Delta Variant runs wild, and hospitals are filled with younger and sicker people. If these states were a combined country, they would be ground zero for this “Fourth Wave” of the Pandemic. Ironically, one Governor wants the state legislature to revoke its current ban on mask-wearing. Other Governors have dug in their heels and have signed controversial executive orders prohibiting school boards from determining for themselves as to whether to mandate masks. These governors, specifically in Florida and Texas (places with the most outbreaks) use the rhetoric of “personal choice” and “freedom”. In such places, decisions seem to be made based upon “politics”, rumors, non-scientific data, cowardice, selfishness, and a failure to understand the nature of leadership.
This week’s Parsha is Shoftim. Moshe has completed his lecture on the values of monotheism and covenant. Now he begins telling B'nai Yisroel all the nitty-gritty details of living a Jewish life within this community. What a downer! B’nai Yisroel is inspired and ready to enter into Eretz Canaan and begin living the life in the land that God had promised their ancestors. They are now ready to begin fulfilling the dream that allowed them to survive centuries of slavery. So what does Moshe Rabeinu do? He brings them crashing back to reality. Now they will listen and understand laws concerning war, punishments for idolatry, choosing a king, jurisprudence, priestly entitlements, and unsolved murders. Moshe gives B’nai Yisroel a healthy dose of reality by supplying all the details required to uphold the Covenant.
One of these laws is rather curious yet serves as a reminder of how important it is to maintain a balance between dreams and reality, between the idealism of our youth and the cynicism of age. V’Hayah Ch’shivto Al Kisei Mamlachto V’Chatav Lo Et Mishnei HaTorah Hazot – And it shall be when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself two copies of this Torah in a book… V’Haitah Imo V’Kara Vo Kol Yemei Chayav Lema’an Yilmad L’yirah et Adonai Elohav – It shall be with him and he shall read from it all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear the Lord his God, Lishmor et Kol Divrei HaTorah Ha’Zot V’Et HaChukim Ha’Eilah La’Asotam – to observe all the words of this Torah and these decrees, to perform them so that his heart does not become haughty over his brethren and not turn from the commandment right or left so that he will prolong years over his kingdom, he and his sons amid Israel (Deut. 18:18-20). The king must write and maintain two Torah scrolls. The “personal” Torah must be carried with him wherever he goes: meetings, wars, benefit dinners, etc. The Torah must always remain physically near his heart. However, the second Sefer Torah sits in the treasure room as a pristine copy, as a benchmark. This “benchmark” Torah remains enclosed, protected, and untouched. The king may consult it, but this pristine copy never leaves the sanctuary. How brilliant! The “personal” Torah that is carried around eventually becomes worn, the letters fade, and the parchment may even tear. This would most likely occur unbeknownst to the king. Yearly, the king must lay his “personal” Torah besides the “benchmark” Torah. There, in the inner chamber, the two Torahs are checked against each other. Then if there are any discrepancies in the “Personal” Torah, the king must make the necessary corrections. The king’s “personal” Torah must reflect the purest and highest standards. Through daily wear and tear, through the compromises necessary to manage a kingdom, the king must regularly check to make sure that he has not gradually drifted away from the “Pristine” or “Benchmark” Torah.
This is the ultimate form of personal “Checks and Balances”! The king needs to periodically check his “personal Torah” against the “Benchmark Torah”. We also must check our “Personal Torah” against the “Benchmark Torah”. Certainly, the process may be uncomfortable, and yes, there is the danger of becoming so self-absorbed that we become paralyzed. The process occurs on a regular enough basis that we don’t become too paralyzed that we can’t function. However, what is so empowering is that this “personal Torah” is not confined to the King. In this regard, we are all kings, we are all royalty. We are all better off making sure that our “personal Torah”, the one we carry with us wherever we go matches up with Torah, the Torah that we learn from, the Torah that we read upon Shabbat and Holidays. In watching these two different worlds, I wonder about the types of leaders of these two worlds. I wonder about the people in these “two worlds”. I wonder about the Torah, the behavioral code that leaders in these “two words” carry with them and remain answerable.
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