My Weekly Drash (a mini D'var Torah) - Yitro (2)
Posted by Daniel M. Kimmel on February 12, 2009 | Tags: Yitro
Parshah Yitro marks a turning point in our history as it recounts the encounter and covenant at Sinai. It opens, "On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai." (Exo. 19:1) Naturally the rabbis wondered why God waited three months after the Exodus to give the Israelites the Torah. The Midrash says God was giving the Israelites time to get used to freedom after generations of slavery, much like a seriously ill child is not sent back to school the moment his fever breaks. Some recuperation was needed. Yet another sage argues if the Israelites had been given the Torah immediately, it would have seemed as if they felt obligated (what with having just been rescued through a series of miracles). By God's waiting until they're back to whining and complaining, their acceptance of the Torah seems to be entirely voluntary.
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Daniel M. KimmelJoined: October 2, 2007 Daniel M. Kimmel is a Boston area film critic, lecturer and author. He does these weekly mini-lessons for the Mishkan Tefila Brotherhood's newsletter. You are free to use them for similar purposes. Divrei Torah (117) |
