Parshas Yisro
Mixed Emotions
By Rabbi Moshe Peretz Gilden
"The Jewish nation arrived at Mount Sinai and encamped there opposite the
mountain. Then Moshe ascended to the L-rd, and G-d called to him from the
mountain saying, 'So shall you say to the house of Jacob and relate to the
Children of Israel'" (Shemos/Exodus 19:3) Rashi explains that the following
narrative was to be stated specifically "in this language and this order."
At the end of the monologue, Moshe was again instructed, "These are the
words that you shall speak to the Children of Israel," (v.6) to which Rashi
notes, "no less and no more." Why is there such emphasis on precision?
The Talmud (Shabbos 68a) teaches that after the Jewish nation accepted the
Torah unconditionally, G-d nevertheless lifted Mount Sinai above their
heads and threatened that if they did not accept the Torah they would be
buried on the spot. This is consistent with the Mishna in Pirkei
Avos/Ethics of the Fathers (1:3) that teaches one should be like a servant
who serves his Master not for the sake of being rewarded [rather, out of
love], and have the fear of heaven upon him.
Rabbi Yaakov Kamenetzky (1) explains that to serve G-d properly, one needs
the two elements of love and fear. One cannot always maintain the same
intensity of love nor can one always maintain the same degree of fear.
These emotions must both be in place to ensure that G-d will be served
properly. Although the Jewish nation had already accepted the Torah out of
love, G-d needed to instill the fear of Him in them. Thus, He threatened
the nation with instant death if they did not accept the Torah. But the
greater imperative was acceptance out of love, so Moshe was told that the
endearing messages that he was to send the Jewish nation must be exactly as
G-d said them, as G-d did not want any extraneous matter influencing the
nation's decision.
This was a great challenge for Moshe. While he very much desired that the
nation accept the Torah, his Divine mandate was not to, in any way,
influence their decision. Had he changed the message to his liking, then
the Torah could not be considered a perfect Divine work in which every word
holds infinite depth. Thus, if Moshe would have changed anything he would
not have been fit to be the one to give the Torah.
This is a great challenge for us as well. As we continue in our lifelong
pursuit of developing our G-d consciousness, we utilize all the gifts
inherent in the Torah. Some times the Torah motivates us with a passionate
love of G-d, other times we have to resort to the sense of fear the Torah
engenders. Either way, the mitzvos (Divine commands), in all their
exquisite detail, call out to us today as they did 3316 years ago, echoing
the same call from our Father in Heaven: I love you and want you to be
close to me.
Have a Good Shabbos!
(1) 1891-1986; Rabbi of Tzitevian, Lithuania and Toronto before becoming
Rosh Yeshiva/Dean of Mesivta Torah Vodaath in New York City
This issue of Kol HaKollel is dedicated in memory of Baki (Benjamin)
Muchin, a"h.
Text Copyright © 2005 by Rabbi Moshe Peretz Gilden
and Torah.org.
Kol HaKollel is a publication of The Milwaukee Kollel Center for Jewish Studies · 5007 West Keefe Avenue · Milwaukee, Wisconsin · 414-447-7999
