A Free Hotel Stay?

The term naval (base, vile) appears in the Torah only in this portion—first in the verse describing Am Yisrael’s conduct toward Hashem, and later in reference to the punishment they receive: “I will provoke them with a vile nation.” Why does the Torah use such a harsh word?

Let’s explore through a parable.

“How did we merit this?” wondered the couple. This wasn’t just a free vacation—they had been invited to live overseas for an entire year, all expenses paid, by a complete stranger. Free housing. Free car. Unlimited clothing budget.

“Someone must have recommended us,” the husband said. “Let’s go and check it out.”

They arrived in a small town with a small Jewish community. One of its members, a wealthy benefactor, greeted them.

“We need a couple to revitalize this spiritual desert. I don’t know what methods you’ll use—I trust your judgment. All expenses are on me.”

Who could refuse?

That very day, the couple received keys to a home and car, and a fully open bank account. For a full month, they shopped and furnished their new place. “If we want to inspire, we need to present ourselves with dignity,” they reasoned.

Then came the planning: lectures, chavrutot, seminars. But the plans never moved forward. They were too distracted by the wallpaper, the kitchen layout, and the shopping.

Six months in, they decided to take a short vacation. But upon returning, they found the locks had been changed.

They called the philanthropist.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I can no longer allow you to stay in the house. You’ll need to find somewhere else.”

“What?!” the husband snapped. “Is this how you treat your guests? We’re left on the street, penniless?!”

“You’re surprised?” came the reply. “I’m surprised, too. Did you think I’d continue giving you everything indefinitely? You knew this was all for a purpose. I gave you everything—home, wealth, opportunity—with the expectation that you’d use it for the mission. And you didn’t.”

Rav Samson Raphael Hirsch explains: When tragedy strikes, we often ask, “Why? What did we do to deserve this? Was our sin really so great?”

Hashem answers in Ha’azinu:

I gave you everything. I provided your needs free of charge. Where is the return? Where are the fruits of your labor? Did you believe it was all for your comfort? Did you not understand you were sent for a mission?

Instead of sanctifying My name, you sank into moral decay. You became like any other nation. You bore no fruit.

You were meant to be “a wise and understanding people”—a light to others—but you rejected My Torah and cast it aside as unwanted.

This truth, written in the eternal Torah, demands that we stop and reflect.

We, the chosen nation of Hashem, have a sacred purpose. Our homes, our talents, our blessings—all are gifts for a mission far greater than ourselves. It is time we remember why we were given them in the first place.

(Or Daniel)

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Rabbi Leeor Dahan, a graduate of Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim/RSA, is a noted scholar and teacher, well-versed in halachah. He currently leads Kehilat Avodat Hashem in Hillcrest, Queens, inspiring his congregation to delve into Torah study and embrace its eternal teachings.