In a “Torah Anytime” clip, Rabbi Eliyahu Maksumov says that the word chaver (friend) has the same letters as cherev (sword). You would think it may be strange to compare the two, but they go together. A true friend and person who cares for you will hit you with difficult things. They will not only tell you when you are right, but they will rebuke you and tell you when you are wrong. Hashem is one of our chaverim (friends) who rebukes us when needed.
In Parshat Vaetchanan, we see that Hashem is our chaver. The parsha repeats how Hashem took Bnei Yisrael out of Egypt and gave them the Torah while also expressing how we should do the mitzvot because we fear Hashem. This fear is a fear of a true chaver or person who cares for you. It is the fear of knowing that if I do not follow the mitzvot, there will be rebuke out of concern for me. It is the fear of having someone you love tell you that you are doing something wrong, and they know you know better. It is the fear of disappointing someone you care about despite the desire to do something bad. It is also the fear of harming someone we care about because they are associated with us. Love of Hashem is so important, but so is having this fear.
While fear keeps us in line most of the time, we sometimes waver. We get the rebuke because it is best for us, and then our chaver comforts us. This is the idea of Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort. Despite our falls, Hashem helps us grow and be better. He is a true chaver, who despite the pain you have caused Him, still sticks with you.
Every Jew has a connection with Hashem! As the parsha says, every Jew was at Har Sinai and received the Torah. The more mitzvot we do the greater the connection, but when we disappoint Hashem, He comforts after His rebukes because He is our true friend. He is our beloved, and we are His. May we not need much rebuke and have both a love and fear for Hashem. And may Hashem comfort all of Israel now and forever.
Shira Sedek is a passionate educator currently working toward a master’s degree at Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration.
