What You Can Do Is a Matter Of What You Will Do

In this week's Navi class, we continued to delve into the actions of the Melachim and proceeded to Perek Chet and Tet in Yeshayahu. We first reviewed the meaning of the sign of the boy, Immanuel, who will be born from a young woman. Achaz spurns the idea of receiving a sign, yet Hashem gives him it anyway, not as a miracle, but as a symbol that Hashem is present and is in CONTROL, a reality Achaz had to accept and appreciate. No matter how much Achaz denies this, he still cannot change it. Achaz didn't want this sign for a simple purpose: if he received a sign, he might actually have to listen.

Achaz is also warned of the rapidly approaching punishment, both the short-term and long-term. The short-term refers to Yisrael (also known as Ephraim and Shomron), and the long-term refers to Yehudah. Ashur will be responsible for the destruction. Achaz might believe that the best option for him is to ally with Ashur. However, Ashur will ultimately be the one who destroys him.

In Perek Chet, Hashem begins by telling Yeshayahu to take a large tablet and write on it in Cheret Enosh, which can be translated as plain script (so all the people can see), or in the script of people (formed out of people). On it should be written: Maher Shlal (hasten the booty), which refers to Damesek (capital of Aram), and Chash Baz (speed the spoils), which refers to Yisrael. Mher Shlal Chash Baz was one of Yeshayahu's children. He resembles a sign that before he can say his parent's name, Ashur will attack Shomron and Damesek.

Yeshayahu's audience in this action is Yehudah and the subject matter is the punishment of Yisrael. The message is clear: the people of Yehudah are next. The "prediction" is that Assyria will conquer Yisrael/ Aram because Hashem wants it to happen. This further exemplifies that Hashem is pulling the strings.

Yeshayahu is the prophet on record. Even though the punishment is inevitable, perhaps individuals will change their ways. The "timeline of destruction" is that Ashur will destroy Aram, Yisrael, and then you (Yehudah). However, there will not be total destruction. Maybe certain individuals will improve their ways and a remnant will remain. Later, a "shining star" will be born to Yehudah. This could be interpreted as the future, possibly Mashiach, or sooner. This earlier "star" will be Chizkiyahu, who will be a good king and might change things. However, the unfortunate reaction of the people of Shomron will be that despite the punishment, they will not heed to Hashem's messages.

We then discussed the kings of Yisrael and their actions. Although Yeshayahu's messages were directed towards this kingdom, he sometimes used the incidents in Yisrael to provide rebuke, reflection, and insight to the people of Yehudah. The kings of Yisrael were tremendously unstable.

Both kingdoms dealt with superpowers by forming an alliance (Achaz and Ashur), paying taxes (Hoshea), refusing to pay taxes (Hoshea), or by attack. These are all geo-political actions. A religious perspective is that Hashem is behind all that is occurring (which are a result of the people's actions). This religious perspective is also exhibited in the Book of Devarim. If the people are good, they will be rewarded (expanded borders and economic success). If the people are bad, they will be attacked/destroyed. However, there will always be a remnant. The sins of the people of Yehudah are a lack of social justice (Tzedek U'Mishpat), and the sins of Yisrael are Avodah Zarah and the ignoring of their prophets who rebuked them.

"Kol Yisrael Arevim Ze Lazeh." All of Israel is responsible for one another. This is a quote that has been taught to any person regarding his fellow Jews. However, it is these five words that the people of Yehudah lacked. These five words are an antonym for the entire society of  the people of Yehudah. This kingdom lacked social justice, the people cheating their customers and being unethical in business, oppressing the downtrodden, the judges were taking bribes and abused their power. The women were immodest, immoral, and haughty. How can you structure an ethical and moral society if the people themselves cannot control their actions?

Hellen Keller once said, "Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained." This, unfortunately is a reality today. History repeats itself. Today, the modern corollary for this is lying, cheating, gambling, schemes, and poor treatment of one another. Oftentimes, those less fortunate are not given the same opportunities as us. If we cannot respect one another in our everyday lives, how can we stand and serve Hashem in the proper manner?

However, there was a time to repent, the time of warning. Bnei Yisrael could have improved their actions, focusing on one aspect at a time, correcting improper methods of business and treatment of others. However, what you can do is a matter of what you will do. Bnei Yisrael were offered chances, multiple opportunities to improve their ways. However, just like children who are offered a second chance to correct their actions and choose not grasp it, there must come a time when there must be punishment.