In Deuteronomy 30, readers encounter one of Heaven’s greatest, if not the greatest, gift: repentance.
Abravanel discusses repentance, the opportunity to make positive changes in personal conduct.
“And it shall come to pass, when you experienced all these things” looks forward to future times, owing
to the observation that no such occurrence has yet transpired in Jewish history.
Redemption, a divine promise, represents the sum total of every Jew’s solace and hope. Indeed, our
verses relate nothing less than a national salve to a scarred people, an antidote to centuries of tears and
travail. Not surprisingly, Abravanel ascribes to the upcoming verses a central role in Judaism and Torah.
“And it shall come to pass, when you have experienced all these things,
the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you. There, among
the nations where God your Almighty exiled you, you shall reflect.”
High anticipation, recall, arrives after a lengthy description of the covenant, its blessing or curse. Of
course, the juxtaposition is not coincidental. It extends encouragement. Crestfallen Hebrews should not
despair, saying: Surely, after the nation has sinned against the Creator, all is lost.
All is not lost. Verily, is there a man who lives and does not transgress? What shall he do when the divine
punishment written in the covenant’s curse takes aim and fells him?
This chapter provides succor. Misdeed, we shall read, carries seeds of catharsis, healing. Heaven
removes from His people, the specter of death and curse, supplying a gift called repentance: “And it
shall come to pass, when you have experienced all these things…”
What is the dynamic process of repentance? How does man tap into it? Repentance starts with an
honest assessment, an introspective heart that realizes man, in this world, resembles a weary wayfarer
who seeks lodging from the cold, and cold-hearted. From the day he is born until the day he passes, he
creeps at a petty pace, shuffling in search of shelter. King David writes: “I go the way of all the earth…”
All travels or journeys, Abravanel apprises us, may generally be viewed from three prisms: 1) the place
of embarkation, 2) the task or mission, and 3) directions or guideposts. Man’s journey proves no
exception, as Abravanel elaborates.
Man’s conception, the start of his journey, is humble enough; a zygote consisting of father’s sperm and
mother’s ovum. As for his task, it is to cleave to his Creator, thereby earning entry into His inner
sanctum. Men of valor have attained their lofty purpose. Finally, man’s compass directs him. Much
preparation goes into a successful journey. Ultimately, the creation and execution of a solid plan brings
the traveler to his desired destination or raison d’être. There, comfort awaits.
Metaphorically, we find in the Bible, that the righteous are described as walkers or goers. To wit,
regarding Hanoch it says: “And Hanoch walked with God.”. Of Noah, “Noah walked with God.” The same
action verb lavishes praise upon Abraham, Jacob, and Jethro. Earlier in Deuteronomy, Moses enjoins his
brethren: “God will establish you for a holy people unto Himself…if you shall…walk in His ways.”
On the other spectrum, Abravanel characterizes backsliders as those who walk contrary to God. But,
repair demands a change of tack. Repentance sets things right, restoring the relationship with God. This
concludes Abravanel’s abbreviated remarks on, and definition of repentance.