Comments on the Beginning of Sefer Yehoshua (1-4)
If one mentions sefer Yehoshua the first thing that comes to mind is conquest. Namely, after all the promises of Hashem to lead Bnei Yisrael into the holy land the time has finally arrived for action. But if we examine the beginning chapters we see a totally different picture emerging.
In the very first perek, Yehoshua is told not to abandon the Torah, and meditate upon it day and night. If the only theme of the sefer was war, fighting and conquest why stipulate the importance of Torah study? Clearly, the mandate of the Torah to conquer the land and remain there permanently had to be based on the fundamentals of the religion itself. The Rav z’tl comments in his sefer 5 drashot that all Jews had a share in building the modern state of Israel. Many gave their lives and made the supreme sacrifice in order that future generations could enjoy the benefits of a state. Nonetheless, writes the Rav it is absolutely unthinkable that we could have a state that was not based on the Torah. Otherwise we would be founding a state or country like all other countries with nothing unusual guiding it into the future. Therefore, Hashem first starts the process of building and conquering with Torah-without it there would be no purpose in crossing over the Jordan and fighting.
Furthermore, the actual crossing of the Jordan on the 10th of Nisan corresponds to the exact date when Bnei Yisrael took the lambs from the Egyptians and prepared for the very first Pesach sacrifice and family meal plan. It would seem to me that this was not just a coincidence, but rather a clear statement that just like the taking of the lamb required Mesirut Nefesh so, too, the conquering of the land would as well. The 31 nation-states in Canaan were not planning to roll over without a fight.
The nationwide brit milah also corresponds to the similar one that took place (although not stated in the Torah itself) before the first Pesach. Entering into a brit, the very first mitzvah commanded of Avraham, is the permanent sign between us and Hashem-it connects us for eternity to a value system so different than the rest of the world!
Lastly, crossing over the Jordan is also a miracle similar to the crossing of the Red Sea. But this time we are told that the Kohanim lead the nation with the holy ark. What message can be drawn from these facts? Here again Hashem is sending a clear message to the nation that their task and mission is unique. They are lead by Kohanim whose job it is to be the mediators between Hashem and the people, and to bring them close to the Torah. Pirkei Avot states that we should be like the students of Aharon-loving and pursuing peace , loving people and bringing them closer to the Torah. Therefore, the ark must go before the nation to demonstrate this exact point. The ark in which the tablets rest is symbolic of a nation connected to an eternal voice that tells them never to abandon the faith of their forefathers, and that by fulfilling it they will succeed in their new task.
Posted in Overviews, Yehoshua - Joshua by Rav Zalman Eisenstock on January 31, 2007 | 2 Comments