The fervent pursuit of lofty goals must not distract us from our basic responsibilities. We must ensure to follow the “paved road,” to conduct ourselves the right way, to remain courteous and refined, and not sacrifice our basic obligations on the altar of lofty aspirations.
Toward the beginning of Parashat Re’ei, Moshe informs Benei Yisraelthat upon entering the Land of Israel, they must conduct a special ceremony in the area of Mount Gerizim and Mount Eval, acknowledging the blessing and curse that will befall them for, respectively, the observance and neglect of the Torah. In describing the geography of the region, Moshe tells the people that the mountains are situated beyond “derekh mevo ha-shemesh” (“the western route” – 11:30).
The Gemara, in Masekhet Sota (33b), sees in the word “derekh” (“path” or “road”) an allusion to the route that Benei Yisrael were to take in their march to Gerizim and Eval. Namely, in the Gemara’s words, “Walk along the road, and not through fields and vineyards.” According to the Gemara’s reading, Moshe found it necessary to remind Benei Yisrael that as they march to the designated region for this special ceremony, they must ensure to follow the paved road, and not tread on agricultural lands.
The Gemara’s comment perhaps serves as a powerful reminder not to compromise our dignity and manners in our passionate pursuit of lofty spiritual goals. Benei Yisrael, upon entering the land, were to immediately proceed to Gerizim and Eval to fulfill a once-in-history command of God, to perform a ritual that would define the purpose and essence of the country they would be building in their homeland. In their zeal and excitement, they may have thought to take the quickest route, even if this route took them through produce-laden fields and orchards that would undoubtedly be ruined if two million people marched through them. Moshe therefore reminded the people that despite their understandable and admirable enthusiasm for this mitzva, they must follow the paved road. Religious zeal and fervor do not justify reckless, undignified or inconsiderate behavior.
We can think of numerous contemporary examples of the phenomenon that the Torah here cautions against – such as speeding or parking illegally in one’s rush to get to the synagogue, overburdening or underpaying employees of a worthy charitable organization in one’s passionate desire to see results, or sacrificing family obligations to devote oneself to an important idealistic cause. The fervent pursuit of lofty goals must not distract us from our basic responsibilities. As we march determinedly to perform important mitzvot, we must ensure to follow the “paved road,” to conduct ourselves the right way, to remain courteous and refined, and not sacrifice our basic obligations on the altar of lofty aspirations.
Courtesy of Yeshivat Har Etzion -www.etzion.org.il