Shoftim

The passuk states, “tamim tehiyeh im Hashem Elokecha, you shall be tamim with Hashem your G-d.” What does the Torah mean to teach with the word “tamim”?

In Tehillim the passuk states, “praiseworthy are the ‘temimai derech’ who travel ‘b’Toras Hashem.” The Midrash writes this refers to the Dor HaMidbar who accepted the Torah. When Hashem commanded, “don’t eat chailev,” they did not ask why not. When Hashem instructed Yisrael, “do not eat orlah – fruits produced from the new trees which grew within the first three years.” Yisrael accepted these laws without questioning them. We see from this Midrash that “tamim” is one who accepts even without understanding the reasons.

The Beis HaLevi writes that there is a mitzvah to learn and understand Hashem’s Torah. Our fulfillment of keeping the Torah, however, is not dependent on our understanding. We are to perform the mitzvos only because it is the will of Hashem.

The Gemara states that a behaima gasa – such as an ox, is acquired through meshicha – pulling it or by calling to it and it comes. However, one cannot acquire a slave by calling to the slave and it follows the command of the one who called it. The Gemara writes the reason is because the animal goes based on the da’as of the master – his instruction. Whereas the slave follows the guidance of his own da’as. The Beis HaLevi explains that although the slave follows the master’s command, he is doing so because he knows and understands that it is something he should indeed do for himself. The animal, however, is completely following the command of a master – without any personal initiatives.

The Gemara writes on the passuk in Tehillim: “adam u’v’heima toshia Hashem,” that Hashem saves the person who makes himself like an animal, by completely performing the will of Hashem, even without understanding.

May we merit to be ovdei Hashem and fulfill His ratzon with temimus!