Parshas Haazinu 5786 - Never Empty

Torah is Never Empty

The Torah tells us (Devarim 32:46–47):

“…Instruct your children to be careful to perform all the words of this Torah, for it is not an empty thing for you; it is your life, and through this matter you shall prolong your days on the Land.”

Rashi explains that Moshe here is teaching that no verse in the Torah is “empty.” Even when a passage appears insignificant, if one studies it deeply, its hidden meaning will reveal great wisdom and reward.

As an example, Rashi cites the verse: “And Timna was a concubine to Eliphaz, the son of Esav” (Bereishis 36:12). At first glance, this seems like a trivial genealogical note. Yet the Midrash teaches that Timna was a princess, the sister of Lotan (Bereishis 36:22). Despite her noble status, she chose to lower herself and become the concubine of Eliphaz—Esav’s son—simply to attach herself to the family of Avraham. This shows how highly Avraham’s family was regarded, even by those outside it.

Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l asks: why did Rashi choose this particular example? After all, the greatness of Avraham and his descendants is evident throughout the Torah. Do we really need validation from outsiders?

Rav Moshe explains that this verse teaches a vital lesson: never think that your actions have no effect on others. Even people whose worldview is completely different—idol-worshippers in Timna’s case—can be touched by integrity, kindness, and upright behavior. Avraham’s moral greatness was so clear that even distant nations admired it and longed to connect with it.

If this was true for Timna, a pagan princess, how much more so for our fellow Jews today who may have little background in Torah. When we reach out with honesty and understanding, our example can awaken in them a deep admiration for Torah and even inspire them to reconnect to it.

The Torah is never “empty”—neither in its words nor in the impact our actions, guided by it, can have on others.