Mishpatim

Having proclaimed the Law to the ancient Israelites at Mt. Sinai, “God said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and be there’” (24:12).  Rabbi Menachem Mendl of Kotzk observed, “There is a difficulty here.  If Moses came up on the mountain, he would already be there, so why would God also bother to specify, “and be there?”  Even though he may be standing on the very peak itself, his head may be somewhere else.  The goal is not merely to ascend but also to be there, to be present there, and nowhere else-and not to be going up and down at the same time.”

Last week was Ten Commandments, the Divine Revelation at Sinai. 

Having affirmed their willingness to embrace the Commandments, with two of the most inspiring words in Hebrew occur:

"Na’aseh v’nishma. We will do, and we will then hear!"

Who among us would say, ‘Sure, I’ll do it, now tell me what’s it all about?’

Precisely because listening to instructions comes before following them, these words are a statement of sacred commitment. 

This is a statement of faith; "If it is what You want me to do, God, I’ll do it regardless of the details, because my commitment and devotion to You is so great."

May we merit such devotion.

 

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