White It Out

בס"ד

When the Jewish people cross the Jordan and enter into the promised Land of Israel, they perform an interesting rite. They are instructed (by G-d) to take twelve obelisks (large stones) and plaster them white. Once they have plastered them, the Jews must write the words of the Torah in "…a very through explanation" [Devarim 27:8]. Rashi explains this thorough explanation to be a translation into all seventy languages.

Why would the Jews have to record the Torah into languages they are not conversant in and why does G-d make a point of telling them to white out the stones first ?

When the Jews receive the Torah it is not just something for that generation. It is for ALL generations. This is expressed in many ways. Firstly, at mount Sinai, the souls of all Jews – current and future – were present, to show that they all received the Torah straight from G-d. Secondly, since there would be a time when the children of Israel would wander through the globe, the Torah was "given" in all seventy languages.

This also helps us understand the whiteout. When the Torah is given at Sinai – it was done in the Torah's own language. Every concept presented was fresh since it hadn't been said before. In other languages, this may not always be the case. Whichever term or Torah concept you refer to, there may be an alternate idea that has already been said – that you must differentiate from the Torah idea if you are to understand it properly. ( The irony of writing this specific Dvar Torah in English is not lost on me …) That is why the stones of translation needed to be whited out, to provide for as smooth as possible a beginning for our journey into understanding the word of G-d.

Before we undertake the next journey – the one into our new year – let us "white out" any baggage we may be carrying. Forgiveness and sincerity can go a long way towards accomplishing that goal.

Hatzlacha !!