for Parshat Vayeilech
i
Before the people enter the Land,
God tells Moses that the people will ultimately desert Him.
For that is their nature.
And they will be expelled from the Land.
*
God tells Moses to write these facts down
and to speak them to the whole people.
Moses does this,
telling the people:
Guard this warning close—
it is your life;
it will keep you on the Land
for a long time.
ii
Why will this warning keep the people on the Land?
Perhaps because it will remind them that, in their nature, they want to turn God away.
Knowing this, they will fight against their nature. And they will remain good.
And they will stay on the Land.
iii
If you have been invited into God’s kingdom, you might think: I am one of the elect; I can do no wrong.
You might think you are flawless.
You will fail to see your own nature.
This leaves you in danger of yourself.
*
That is why
before you enter the Land of God,
first you must face who you are.
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Shabbat Shalom,
Abe
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