Retroactive

If you want something enough, don’t just patiently wait for it; anticipate it, yearn for it, incorporate it and live it now!

Connection between Entering the Promised Land and the Monarchy

The Torah introduces the office and role of the monarchy with the following statement:

“When you come to the land, G-d your G-d, is giving you, and you take possession of it and settle in it you will eventually say ‘I will set a king over myself…’ you shall always set a king over you, one whom G-d your G-d, chooses…”

Sifri, a Talmudic era compilation of Biblical commentaries, explains that by observing the commandment mentioned here the Jewish people will merit entering into the Promised Land.

[The statement of the Sifri appears to be contradicted by the fact that the prophet Samuel was upset when they asked for a king. This question has been asked by many of the commentators. One classic answer is that while asking for a king was a good thing, they asked for it prematurely.] The question arises, how could observance of the commandment pertaining to a king who has yet to be appointed help retroactively to provide them with the merit to be able to conquer the land?

Determination and Anticipation

One answer is that when we are determined to fulfill a mitzvah at a later time, G-d gives us the ability to succeed in accomplishing our goal. By desiring to fulfill the commandments associated with entering and conquering the land, they will be awarded the opportunity to succeed in achieving their goal.

The fact that they would ask for a king is a sign that from the very outset their intention of entering the Land was to establish a monarchy; a prerequisite to the building of the Bais Hamikdash-the Holy Temple.

We find a parallel to this in the dialogue between G-d and Moses concerning the worthiness of the Jewish people to be liberated from Egypt. When Moses questioned the worthiness of the people to be liberated, G-d replied: “You will worship G-d on this mountain.”

Here too the question has been raised, how can the future event serve as a reason for them to be liberated?

The answer is that the very fact that they will anticipate the receiving of the Torah at Mount Sinai would make them worthy to be liberated and serve G-d on that mountain.

When we show keen interest in the future observances, even as we are still in the past, G-d gives makes it possible for us to realize our goal.

Here too, when they demonstrated their willingness to appoint a king, as G-d commanded them, they deserved to enter and inherit the land.

Why the Monarchy and Retroactivity?

A question can still be raised. Why does the Sifri connect the Mitzvah of establishing the monarchy as the specific Mitzvah in whose merit they would enter the Land? Weren’t there other commandments that could serve retroactively as their merit?

Perhaps the answer lies in the very nature of the Jewish people inheriting the land and settling it.

There are two ways people can occupy a city or a country. The first way is to physically occupy the space of that particular area. In this scenario, they don’t identify with the specific nature of the land; it’s just a place like any other place to live in. They can easily move to another location if it seems that it will prove more convenient for them.

The second scenario is where people see this particular location as the only one to live in. With this attitude it is clear that the people regard this area as their permanent location; they identify with and are wed to it. It is their unique and exclusive home.

What test can there be to determine what approach the Jewish nation had upon their entry into and residency in the Promised Land?

The test was, were they planning to establish a monarchy. If this was the case it would be a sign that their interest was to plant roots in the land. This would be forever the land of the Jewish people; the Land of Israel for the people of Israel.

Thus, when they prepared and yearned for a king it was a sign that they wanted to truly inherit the land permanently. G-d therefore granted them their wish and empowered them to inherit the land.

This also explains why appointing a king was a prerequisite for the building of the Bais Hamikdash.

In order for the permanent structure of the Bais Hamikdash to be built they needed to have reached the point where it was clear that their presence in and their association with the Land of Israel was of a permanent nature. This became manifest (although the intention for this approach was there from the time they entered, albeit not overtly demonstrated) when they actually appointed a king.

The Parallel for Today

The primary focus of the Messianic Age will be our ability to connect with G-d and each other unhindered by all of the obstacles posed by our existence in an imperfect world.

When we show our desire and anticipation for the Redemption so that we can better serve G-d, our aspirations will be realized.

Particularly, when we show our love for the Land of Israel because it is the place where the Bais Hamikdash will be built channeling G-d’s presence into the world, G-d will see to it that it will be built, imminently!

From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Shoftim by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.