Va'Eschanan
Rabbi Jablinowitz
We read in this week's parsha the first section of Keriyas Shema. The second pasuk reads (Chapter 6, Pasuk 5), V'Ahavta es Hashem Elokecha Bechol Levavcha U'Vechol Nafshecha U'Vechol Meodecha. The Torah obligates us to love Hashem with everything we have. This includes all one's heart and all one's soul. Rashi brings the words of the Sifre which teaches that one must love Gd with all of his heart, both with his positive impulses or with his negative impulses. And with all with one's soul comes to include even giving one's life in the event his devotion and love for Hashem is challenged. But what does U'Vechol Meodecha mean?The translation typically used is "with all your might" or "with all your intensity". And the same Sifre darshens it to mean with all your money or alternatively, Bechol Midah U'midah, with every measure we receive from Hashem we must love him regardless. How is this derived from the word Meodecha?
The first p'shat Rashi brings learns is that it is a reference to money. Perhaps he learns this from the word Me'od which literally means "very". As the Meshech Chachmah teaches, it comes to indicate something additional. Money is part of the person, but it is outside of him. It is not gufo, the person himself, but nonetheless an essential part of the person is his possessions. Therefore, Rashi quotes the Sifre teaching us that both the physical body of the person and his money must be sacrificed for loving Gd. Since there are some for whom their money is more important to them, the Torah teaches U'Vechol Meodecha, you must sacrifice your money as well.
The Meshech Chachmah learns the p'shat in U'Vechol Meodecha in the following manner. As we mentioned above, he learns that the word Meodecha means that which is additional. The Torah is obligating us to use that additional trait that we have over animals to love Gd. Animals will not put themselves in situations which are difficult or painful. They have a built-in system of avoiding any form of discomfort.
We, however, are not animals. We understand that there is a need sometimes to put ourselves through difficult circumstances in order to eventually achieve something good. We have the ability to think ahead and evaluate potential consequences. We also understand that Hashem tests us sometimes and puts us in a trying situation in order to that we ultimately reach a better place and grow from the experience. This is all included in U'Vechol Meodecha; serve Hashem and love Him using that additional level and ability that you have as humans. Don't avoid the challenges of life, for though something might appear uncomfortable right now, it will ultimately lead to greater meaning and a higher purpose.
This is how the Meshech Chachmah learns the second p'shat in Rashi. U'Vechol Meodecha means every midah Hashem brings, "Bein B'Midah Tovah, Bein B'Midas Puranus", whether Hashem brings something which is good, or whether He brings us punishment. We need to understand that everything from Hashem is ultimately for a good purpose even if now it appears negative. And we must love Him and serve Him with this attitude constantly in mind.
The Sfas Emes uses a similar idea to answer a famous question on the first p'shat in Rashi. How could Chazal teach that the words U'Vechol Meodecha are intended to teach the need to sacrifice one's money for that person whose possessions are dearer to him than his life? Why would the Torah direct words in a pasuk specifically for such a fool?
The Sfas Emes answers that our life in this world is only to serve Hashem. We even understand that serving Hashem might ultimately require us to give up our life. And some might be on a level like Rabbi Akiva who longed to perform this mitzvah of Kiddush Hashem. However, if one is not asked to give up his life for Hashem and instead he is asked to give up all his possessions and be left destitute and penniless in this world, for some this might be a greater test. The test of suffering and living a difficult existence might seem to have no point and be a futile existence. This is why the Torah teaches U'Vechol Meodecha; it might seem foolish to give up everything one has and try to stay alive in this world. The Torah is reinforcing the importance of going through the suffering and difficulties of life and that it brings us to a higher place. But the Torah is certainly not speaking to fools!
With this profound explanation of the Sfas Emes added to the words of the Meshech Chachmah, it comes out that both explanations Chazal give for U'Vechol Meodecha are teaching essentially the same point. Whether we are required to give up our money and live in dire circumstances, or whether we need to use that additional trait we have over animals and deal with the discomforts of life, the goal is the same. We are required to accept the challenges of life and grow from them and always find the good in them. And though its value might not be immediately apparent, the man of faith knows that ultimately positive growth and good will result from his pain.
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