Oroh V'Simchoh

OROH V'SIMCHOH - MESHECH CHOCHMOH ON PARSHAS NITZOVIM BS"D

Ch. 30, v. 11: "Ki hamitzvoh hazose" - The Sefer Ho'ikrim maamar #4 chapter 25, the Ramban, and others explain that the mitzvoh referred to here is that of repentance, teshuvoh. The choice of doing good or bad is expressed in the beginning of parshas R'ei as "R'ei onochi nosein lifneichem ha'yom brochoh ukloloh" (Dvorim 11:26), as a choice between receiving a blessing or a curse. Later in our parsha 30:15) it is expressed as "R'ei nosati l'fo'necho ha'yom es Hachaim v'es hatov v'es hamo'ves v'es horo." Why was this choice earlier expressed as a choice between blessing and curse and now between life and death, much stronger results? The MESHECH CHOCHMOH answers that once the opportunity for teshuvoh is given and a person does not avail himself of it, he is much more deserving of greater punishment, hence the choice is one of life and death. We may add that his is expressed in the Psikta d'Rav Kahana nispochim #3, which equates the unused opportunity to repent with a group of people who rebelled in the king was incarcerated. They dug an underground tunnel and escaped. This person decided to remain in jail. When the king came by and saw what had happened, he resoundingly criticized the remaining prisoner saying, "An opportunity for escape is open for you and you don't make use of it!"

A GUTTEN SHABBOS KODESH.
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