Today’s learning is dedicated to the refuah sheleima of Simcha Nosson ben Zissel.

Attribute # 4 – To the Remnant of His Inheritance – לשארית נחלתו

HaKodesh Baruch Hu acts towards Bnei Yisrael in this way, saying, “What shall I do with Bnei Yisrael? They are My relatives, with whom I have a close relationship.” Bnei Yisrael are like HaKodesh Baruch Hu’s spouse. Furthermore, He calls them, “My daughter, My sister, My mother,” as our Sages explained.

It is further written, “Yisrael, the nation related to Him” (Tehillim 148:14). They are actually related to Him, they are His children. The verse thus says, “To the remnant of His inheritance…”

What does Hashem say? “If I punish them – their pain will be Mine,” as is written, “In all their suffering, He suffers…”

It is also written, “He was unable to endure the pain of Yisrael” (Shoftim 10:16), for He cannot endure their pain and shame, since they are the remnant of His inheritance.

So should one treat another. All Jews are close relatives, for their souls are combined together. Every Jew has within himself a portion of every other Jew’s soul…

For this reason, “All Yisrael are responsible for one another” (Shevuos 39a)… When a Jew sins, he harms not only himself, but also the portion of a fellow Jew’s soul included within him. Due to his shared soul, he is responsible for the other; thus, they are like one flesh.

For this reason it is fitting for each person to see the benefit of his fellow, be pleased with his fellow’s success, and let his fellow’s honor be as dear to him as his own, since they are in fact one and the same. This is why we are commanded, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Vayikra 19:18). It is proper for one to seek the well-being of his fellow, and never speak against him or desire his disparagement, just as Hashem does not want us to be disgraced or harmed, since we are His relatives.

He too, should never desire disgrace, pain or failure to befall his fellow. These things should affect him as if he were to suffer the same pain himself, or conversely, if he were to enjoy the same good fortune.   —   Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, Tomer Devorah

(There’s much to be said regarding this Attribute. For tonight, we will focus on Hashem’s absolute love and compassion for our nation. In the following post, we will discuss how this trait can be found in the great leaders of each generation, as well as practical advice of how we can begin to emulate this Attribute.)

The first three Attributes of Mercy taught us to be patient and tolerant when we are offended by others. In the fourth Attribute, we learn how this can be accomplished.

Rabbi Moshe Cordovero teaches us about the deep and everlasting bond Hashem shares with us. As the verse states, “For Bnei Yisrael, the nation close to Him.” 

Similarly, in Shir HaShirim we are compared to Hashem’s daughter, sister and even His mother. We are referred to as am segulah, Hashem’s “treasured nation.”

In this Attribute, we are represented as “His Inheritance,” displaying an intrinsic bond we share with Hashem. Like a son to his father, this connection exists regardless of our actions. Hashem’s love for us is unconditional and unwavering.

As Rebbe Nachman teaches, “Hashem takes great pride even in the most insignificant Jew, even in the sinners of Yisrael… Hashem takes a special pride in each individual Jew. Therefore, one should never despair of Hashem’s help regardless of any wrong he may have done. Hashem’s love for him will never cease.”

Due to this closeness we share with Hashem, He sees our struggles and He shares in our pain. As the verse states, “I am with him in his pain.” The verse also states, “In all their suffering, He suffers” (Yeshayahu 63:9).

Similarly, the Mishnah teaches that when a person feels pain, the Shechinah also suffers and says, “My head hurts. My arm hurts.”

In this weeks Torah portion, the verse lists all forty-two of the nation’s encampments while wandering in the desert. We are taught that there is not a single extra word in the Torah; clearly there is a message to be learned.

Rashi quotes Rebbe Tanchuma, explaining, “This can be compared to a king who had a son who was very ill and he took him to a distant place to cure him. As they were returning [home], his father began to count all their journeys. He said to him, ‘Here we slept. Here we felt cold. Here you had a headache, etc.” As Rabbi Moshe Kormornick elaborates, “This illustrates the love and care that Hashem has for His children, the Jewish People.” 

TO BE CONTINUED…

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