Actions Speak Louder Than Words

In this week's Megillot class, we approached the climax of the "creative discussion" between the Chacham and the Yirei Elokim. First, let's review the key points the Yirei Elokim brought up throughout the duration of his side of the debate up until now. The first statement is: "I am like the Chacham, but the source of my wisdom is G-d, not man. Second: "G-d and not MAN determines death. And third: "There will be an accounting for the bad that is done in this world at death. The underlying concept of all three: The Yirei Elokim, and man in general, cannot escape their actions.

Next, we focused our spectator gazes on the Chacham. He says the following: I am looking at this world and I see the evil that man does. "There is a flawed system here," the Chacham retorts. People still do evil in this world and don't recognize they will be judged!

However, the debate does not end here. The Yirei Elokim replies and says that there is a system. The point of allowing evil people to continue is in order to give them an opportunity to repent. Ultimately, everyone will be held accountable. The Yirei Elokim is imploring the Chacham to realize that he must try to follow all of G-d's commandments because he will be judged if he doesn't! G-d judges every action and holds everyone accountable when they die!

In this section, we see that the Yirei Elokim seems to advocate a two-tiered system of judgement and accountability. In this world, there is a partnership. If man does good, meaning he follows the mitzvot, he will be rewarded with crops, rain, no enemies, money, expanded borders, etc. If man does bad and does not fulfill the mitzvot, he will be punished. He will have no crops, no rains, enemies, and if he sins excessively, will be exiled from the land and Hashem will hide His face. The Yirei Elokim then suggests the following three things: 1) we can't see G-d's involvement 2) the reward we receive is physical, not miraculous 3) reward and punishment comes as a collective. However, in the next world there is ultimate accountability. Everything is done by G-d. Nothing falls through the cracks! Man will be held accountable for all actions.

The Yirei Elokim is an interesting character. His thoughts remain unchanged, for the most part. Time and time again, he makes sure to emphasize that G-d is in control and uses mishpat in the world. He judges every action and holds everyone accountable when they die.

I think the Yirei Elokim proves a very critical point in what he implies in the pesukim. Yes, G-d and man do have a partnership. And because of this partnership, man must try to improve the world. But, G-d is always in control. That's something we have to realize. Many a time, we don't truly think about what the extent of our actions are. But, everything leaves an impact. So, if we choose to be good and make positive choices, we will be rewarded. If not, we will receive punishment.

And in the next world, there is ultimate accountability. We will be held responsible for all our actions. This gives us a tremendous responsibility, but also the opportunity to try to be the best that we can be.  Although it may be difficult to see G-d's involvement in our lives, we need to know that we will be judged for what we did in this world. This means that we really have to focus on what the impact of our actions will be before we actually do them. This is not easy; but we can lead a more meaningful life when mastered.