These verses bring us to the conclusion of our Torah section, with God’s open profession of affection for
His nation. “God did not set His desire upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number
than any people – for you were the fewest of all peoples…” Abravanel probes: What does population
size have to do with anything? Clearly, not only populous nations can properly serve the Maker, or wage
His battles. But, if God did not select the Jews because of population size, why did He?
“For you are a holy people unto God Almighty. God your Almighty has
chosen you to be His own treasure, out of all people that are upon the
face of the earth.”
Abravanel understands that God, “set His desire upon you”, to mean something other than strong
interest or affection. Instead, God’s “desire” here refers to His pining to settle the Shechinah in the
Tabernacle, among the Jews. This proposal to foster closeness, to understate, stunned Moses.
To the point, the Creator does not forge intimate ties to the Jews owing to their strength in numbers,
though admittedly, advantage accrues to large assemblies of people as wise Solomon writes. "And in the
presence of grand gatherings, the king's majesty receives glory." Size, though, had not played a part in
Heaven's choosing the Jews, a modest clan in comparison with other nation-states.
Answering his question, Abravanel says that Heaven’s choice had to do with His love for them. The
prophet Malachi corroborates. “I have loved you God says…” Well, then, what was at the core of this
love affair that segued into sending the Shechinah to reside among the Jews?
A second element explains why the Maker picked the Jews. Enter the patriarchal covenant."And in
keeping with His oath that He swore to your forefathers…." Both factors taken as a whole – perfect or
Platonic love plus an ancient promise – "did God take us out with a strong hand and redeemed us from
the house of slavery." Exodus expedited, and enabled the adoption of the people as His portion.
Abravanel elaborates on this second factor, the merit of the patriarchs. A tendency may arise among
some to try and cap God's favor for the patriarchs. They may suppose that, with the passage of time, His
commitment to them cooled, and hence the promise to the patriarchs’ descendants is a dead letter. Not
so. "Know therefore that God your Almighty, He is God; the faithful God, Who keeps [the] covenant and
mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.”
Abravanel clarifies. He states that God’s desire and love for the Hebrews come with responsibility. "To
those who observe His commandments." For the Torah observant, the merit of the patriarchs assures or
propels the endurance of the covenant. Compliance with the commandments cements Divine kindness.
Remission of the Jews’ ancestral merit, let us call it when the magnanimous force is neutralized, occurs
should the Hebrews turn their back on the Creator, should they abandon their love of and fealty to Him." And He will pay back His adversaries in his face to wipe him out."; For the Jews, a breach in compliance carries catastrophic consequences.
Our Torah portion concludes with Moses’ goading and encouragement, to fend off disaster. “You shall
therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which I command you this
day, to do them.” Perpetuating the nation’s golden tradition, then, provides a lifeline and boon.
