בס''ד
We
are all well aware that the Jewish people’s proclamation “we will do and we
will listen” is not in fact the whole picture and in truth a mountain was held
threateningly above our heads as a means to ensure our acceptance of the
Torah. Without even trying to understand
how an intimidation of this kind could lead to any legal obligation on our
part, the first question must be why it was necessary? From the very start of creation, Odom was
given no choice about agreeing to a commandment not to eat from the Tree of
Knowledge. The other nations of the
world had no say in their requirement to abide by the seven Noachide Laws. So why was Hashem so adamant that the Jewish
people should accept upon themselves the Torah, even to the point of seemingly
forcing them to do so? Why not just command that it be so?
The
human mind is incredibly sensitive to even the most subtle of nuances in the
manner in which we do things and the decisions that we take. Seemingly with this in mind, the Birchas
Avrohom points out, that there is a tremendous difference to something being
done simply as a directive of a king, to something done after an acceptance of
that command, even when the person was left with little choice but to agree to
it. Once a person has taken it upon
themselves to do something, there is an added layer of obligation and
compulsion to fulfil one’s commitment, despite being forced to consent
initially. This degree of devotion to
the Torah was what Hashem desired from His people.
Whatever
level of religiosity we are currently practicing there will be some
requirements of the Torah that we find challenging. This is the nature of our existence in this
world and it is the way that it is meant to be.
Were there not a struggle for us to overcome, there would in fact be no
point in our creation. Shavuos is the
time when each year the potential for acceptance of the Torah for each of us
individually is there waiting to be actualised.
We can just sit passively by and let it wash over us and the Torah will
once again be granted to the Jewish people.
But instead if we can take time to consider the power, beauty and
infinite value of what Hashem chose to confer upon us, then perhaps we can wholeheartedly
accept anew the responsibility it contains, giving us greater reserves of
energy to fulfil all it requires of us, no matter what the test, to the best of
our ability, with everything that we are.
*May our acceptance on Shavuos fortify,
invigorate and inspire us*
לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם
לרפואה שלימה: שרה יעל בת
ברכה אסתר
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