A Singular Find
Singularity is a virtue in terms of a goal; but the way to reach our goals is best served by authentic diversity.
Plural versus Singular
In Moses’ last monologue he predicts how the Jewish people will stray from G-d and His commandments, but they will eventually come back. Moses describes how the Jewish people will be scattered amongst the nations where they will worship foreign gods and how they will return:
“You will search from there, G-d your G-d and you will find Him, when you will seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
The medieval commentator Ibn Ezra points out the apparent inconsistency in this verse. When Moses speaks to the people he always addresses then in the plural, except when he says “And you will find Him.” This phrase is stated in the singular. Why, he asks does the Torah change from plural to singular form?
Ibn Ezra explains that the singular usage is a reflection of the collective and singular nature of the Jewish people.
The question, however, still remains. Why does the Torah refer to the collective nature of the Jewish people only in reference to the words “And you will find Him?”
One Goal; Multiple Approaches
One explanation of the Ibn Ezra’s approach is that while we each seek G-d in our own way, we discover Him in unison.
This does not suggest that any approach that purports to get you to the same goal is legitimate. For as many legitimate approaches there are far more illegitimate ones that do not really lead to the same goal. They may be only expressions of one’s desire to be different and to allow one’s ego to be in control and not G-d’s will.
However, within the framework of authentic Judaism there is room for diverse approaches.
This means that there are some people who search for G-d through prayer, others through the observance of the Mitzvos- Commandments, and still others through Torah study. Each of these three general approaches represents a different and unique way of connecting with G-d.
Prayer is our way of reaching out to G-d from the depths of our heart and soul.
A Mitzvah, which means either commandment or connection, connects our bodies to G-d by having our bodies act in accordance with G-d’s will.
Torah study is where our minds absorb G-dly wisdom.
And while we must engage in all three of these Jewish activities, there is usually one area in which each of us “specializes.”
Diversity within Prayer, Mitzvos and Torah
And even within each of these three areas there are many sub-divisions. There are different parts of prayer and different emotions that one can express during prayer.
It goes without saying that there is diversity with respect to the observance of the Mitzvos. There are 613 Mitzvos, each representing a different avenue to reach the same goal.
More generally, Mitzvos can be divided into those that deal with our relationship with G- d and those that govern our relationship with others. While both are necessary, some of us place a greater emphasis on one area of behavior over the other.
Similarly, with regard to Torah study. There is a wide array of subjects within Torah (e.g. Biblical studies, Talmud, law, philosophy, mysticism, ethics, study of customs, grammar, history, gematria, etc.) and there are myriads of levels of understanding and multiple intellectual approaches to the study of Torah. But, no matter what and how one studies Torah, it leads to the same goal: to get closer to G-d and make oneself and the world at large a G-dly place.
This explains why the words “And you shall find Him” is in the singular, while the other words that describe the search for G-d is in the plural. While we all search in our own individualistic way, so that the search of one Jew is different from another, nevertheless what we discover in the end is singular. The goal, which is to make the world a G-dly domain, remains the same.
Surprise!
Our Sages tell us that there are three things that come unexpectedly: “finding an object, Moshiach and a scorpion.” These are three things that we do not expect to happen. The question asked is how can Moshiach be listed as one of the things that we will not anticipate when we are commanded to await his coming every day?
Chassidic thought explains that the coming of Moshiach will be so glorious an event that no matter how much we pray and hope for it and no matter how much we eagerly anticipate his coming, it will be so surprising and exhilarating an experience as if we have chanced on a treasure that we could never have imagined. Moshiach’s coming will surpass our wildest expectations.
Moshiach: A Singular and Unique Discovery
This then sheds further light why the words “and you will find Him” is phrased in the singular. This experience that we will find in the end of our long and arduous search for G-d in the days of exile, will end in the discovery of Moshiach, a time when we will find G-d in a most incredible and singular way.
Moreover, one of the characteristics of the Messianic Age that will distinguish it from the days of exile is the way we will enjoy true unity. Thus, the reference to finding G-d in the singular is a hint to the day when finding G-d in our lives will go hand in hand with finding peace and true unity.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Voeschanan by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
