The sermon the Aish Kodesh gave on Eikev in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942 is a difficult one. It includes a footnote in the published edition from 1943 saying that as bad as things were in 1942, the Jews had no idea how much worse they would become.
The parsha begins with a conditional statement, a challenge to us with a touch of implicit menace: “If you will listen to these laws… then Hashem will maintain the covenant.” Once again, the Aish Kodesh turns to Rabbi Akiva for inspiration, who, as he gave his life for the sanctification of the Name, remarked (Berachot 61b) that he had always suffered from doubt about whether he would have an opportunity to fulfill the mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem.
Rabbi Akiva was not worried that he might not have a chance to be tortured to death. Nor did he doubt that if put in that position, he would have the fortitude to do what was required of him. But in times of great suffering and distress, it is exceedingly difficult to remain focused on the service of Hashem and performance of His mitzvot. Until somebody is tested in that way, it’s impossible for them to know if they will be able to maintain the proper kavana, an attitude conducive to performing mitzvot in the face of incredible suffering.
Rabbi Akiva was worried that maybe he wasn’t really on such a high level, and his devotion and single-mindedness would never be tested and proven. So he was overjoyed when finally given the opportunity to sacrifice himself and endure the terrible torment leading to his death that he could use that opportunity to fully involve his consciousness in performing a mitzvah.
The Aish Kodesh taught his community, in the abyss of dehumanization and annihilation, that they had been given an opportunity to elicit Hashem’s power to redeem the world and fulfill His promises to our forefathers. If you guard these laws, then Hashem will guard the covenant and show kindness. And He will love you and bless you… (Devarim 7:12-13). The Aish Kodesh tells how on erev Shabbat Rabbi Yehuda Bar Ilai had the countenance of an angel (Moed Katan 17). From this the Gemara learns that the teachers of Torah should be like angels in our world. But how do we learn this from Rabbi Yehuda on erev Shabbat – when he isn’t even in the study hall teaching? The Aish Kodesh explains that on erev Shabbat the sanctity of the occasion brought out this quality, but all week long the needs of his students forced Rabbi Yehuda to keep looking into himself for his angelic qualities. This is the opportunity that is hidden in adversity, or in sacrificing ourselves for the good of another.
For most people it is difficult to obtain the level of focus and determination that is necessary for the proper service of Hashem. When we become too comfortable, we also become complacent. It is by persevering in committing ourselves to doing what we know is right, especially when it is most difficult to do so, that we embody the principle of listening to the laws. When we rise to this level as individuals and as a community, then we bring redemption into the world.
