1. The King and His Two Torah Scrolls
In Parshas Shoftim, during Sheni, the Torah discusses the laws concerning a Jewish king. We are commanded to appoint a king from among the Jewish people. The Torah instructs that when the king sits on his throne, he must write for himself Mishneh Hatoira Hazois—this duplicate Torah. Rashi explains that this means the king must write two Torah scrolls: one to be kept in his storage, and another to be carried with him at all times.
This can be compared, if you will, to having both a desktop computer and a portable device like a laptop or smartphone. One Torah scroll was stationary, kept in the Beis Genozov—the royal treasury or storage—while the other was portable and always with him. Rashi notes that the one carried by the king was smaller and more convenient for travel, much like our practical needs today.
2. Humility and Responsibility of a King
The Torah emphasizes that despite the king’s elevated status—with all the honor and greatness accorded to him—he must constantly read from his Torah scroll. The purpose is le’vilti rum levavo me’echav—so that his heart does not become haughty above his brothers. The Torah wants to ensure that even as a leader, he remains humble and grounded.
The verse continues: le’vilti sur min hamitzvah yamin usmol—not to turn away from the commandments, neither right nor left. This underscores the king’s heightened responsibility: even a slight deviation from Hashem’s instructions is significant for someone in such a position of leadership.
3. The Example of King Shaul
Rashi brings an example illustrating this principle: King Shaul’s interaction with Shmuel Hanavi. After a victory over the Plishtim, Shmuel told Shaul to wait seven days before bringing sacrifices of thanksgiving to Hashem. Shaul waited most of the day, but when Shmuel did not arrive by what he thought was the appointed time, Shaul proceeded to bring up the oilah offering himself.
When Shmuel arrived shortly thereafter, he rebuked Shaul for not waiting as instructed. Because of this seemingly minor infraction—a small deviation from explicit instructions—Shmuel told Shaul that his kingdom would not endure. Rashi highlights how even such a small mistake is counted very seriously for someone in Shaul’s position.
4. Other Cases of Small Deviations with Major Consequences
This theme appears elsewhere in Tanach as well. For example, later in Shaul’s reign, he failed to completely wipe out Amalek as Hashem had commanded through Shmuel Hanavi. Again, what might seem like a minor shortcoming resulted in severe consequences.
A similar dynamic occurred with Moshe Rabbeinu at Chet HaEgel—the sin of the Golden Calf. The people miscalculated Moshe’s return by just a little bit and became impatient, leading them into grave sin and causing Moshe to break the Luchos. These stories show how impatience or small missteps can have outsized effects.
5. The Unique Scrutiny of Tzaddikim
The verse about King Shaul says he was “one year old” when he became king (va’yehi shana achas). Rashi explains this does not mean literally one year old but rather that he was as innocent as a child without sin or refers to his first year as king.
Shoel is considered among the outstanding righteous individuals (Tzaddikim). Yet even for such people, Hashem is medakdek im tzaddikim kechut haSairah—exacting with them like a hair’s breadth. Even minor infractions are treated seriously because of their elevated status and influence.
This principle also applies to Moshe Rabbeinu who was denied entry into Eretz Yisroel for what seems like a minor infraction by our standards. We might think it would be reasonable for Hashem to give another chance or overlook it given all Moshe had done, but we see that those on higher levels are held to higher standards.
6. Lessons for Elul and Personal Growth
This idea can be illustrated with everyday analogies: missing out on winning the lottery by just one number means you win nothing; dialing a phone number with one incorrect digit means you don’t reach your intended party at all. In spiritual matters too, especially during Elul when we seek closeness with Hashem, every detail counts.
As we stand at Rosh Chodesh Elul today, we tap into special powers available during this month for growth and self-improvement. We recite Yaleh V’yavo tonight at Ma’ariv and pray for a blessed new month—chasima v’chasima tovah, wishing everyone a good and sweet year ahead (shanah tovah u’mesukah).