Bs”d
Parshas Devorim (5764)
by Mordechai Dolinsky
The Medrash in our parsha (1:9) stating that we see a bracha for accepting “tochacha” can be understood superficially as a recompensation for the negative feelings that usually accompany rebuke. For a deeper understanding of this we find the most puzzling phenomenon that Yaakov Avinu reserved his tochacha for his sons for his final moments of life for fear that they would desert him in favor of joining the ranks of Esav as a result of his rebuke. It is a most uncomprehensible fact; humans refuse to accept rebuke. They justify themselves, redeem themselves, and rebel. If one manages to accept tochahca he certainly deserves a bracha for a reward. We must cry our hearts out to Hashem to open our hearts to receive rebuke and enlightenment and we will surely receive all the brachos. We should merit to see the great redemption and have a wonderful Shabbos.