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By Rabbi Naftoly Bier
In this week’s parsha, Yisro, we experience once again the most important, momentous occasion of world history; the receiving of the Torah by Klal Yisroel.
Moshe Rabeinu, Moses, repeated (presented) to the Jewish people the עשרת הדברות, the most important mitzvos, commandments, and principles, which form the outline of all of life’s actions and thoughts that effectuate the true potential of every Jew; to be transformed into a צלם אלוקים, a being that is ‘an image of Hashem’.
After this event, which defines the purpose of creation, Hashem instructs Moshe Rabeinu to convey four mitzvos.
- You are prohibited to make forms of my mystical משמשים, those who serve me (this was the sin of constructing the Golden Calf).
- You should make an altar to bring sacrifices in places that Hashem instructs us to;
- When we construct an altar from stone, it is forbidden to use metal for it represents a sword, which can be used to murder.
- Though a כהן, priest is wearing pants, nevertheless it is forbidden to construct steps to the altar, in order that “one’s nakedness will not be uncovered on it”. Any resemblance or hint of illicit sexual behavior is prohibited.
It is perplexing; why didn’t Hashem instruct us initially with laws of Shabbos, Tzedakah, treating another with respect, kashrus etc.?
Shimon HaTzaddik taught (Ethics of Our Fathers 1:2) “There are three pillars that the world is founded upon; Torah, Prayer, and Kindness to Others.”
The Maharal explains that the cardinal sins that one must forfeit their life for are corresponding to these three.
Illicit sexual relationships correspond to Torah, for if one doesn’t protect their inherent dignity and nobility, the spirituality and selflessness that the Torah inculcates in a person cannot be absorbed.
Murder, the epitome of self-aggrandizement of one’s insensitivity to another, is the opposite of helping and caring for another.
Idol worship, the worship of oneself, either by attributing power to other forces or one’s wealth is the opposite of prayer, the acute submission to Hashem, by acknowledging that everything comes from Him.
These ideas seem simple, but in reality, it can’t be so easy to become part of one’s personality and essence! By nature, a person wants to be in control and to follow their feelings and desires. The Torah is emphatically conveying to us that to attain true success in life, one must be careful, vigilant, and diligent that every action one does is not tainted by a selfish dynamic. More so, one has to constantly define every action by pure, selfless dedication to Hashem. When we asked if we would accept the Torah, we answered נעשה, we will do. No questions. No need for explanations. No need for understanding. Hashem, we are your subjects!
Hashem says don’t make images of My “servers”, you want to come “closer” to Me with them, no! I gave you the ability to come close to Me with a קרבן (קרובה = closeness). Remember the dignity of another, for otherwise you won’t have an experience of dignity as a creation of Hashem. And lastly, don’t separate your legs; if you aren’t completely sensitive to the inner holiness, dignity you possess, you can never develop human greatness.
How is it possible to attain this lofty level? One can ask, “Aren’t the עשרת הדברות, Ten Commandments mostly repeat of the Noachide laws?” The רמב”ן. Nachmanides explains the continuity of the commandments dealing with our relationship with Hashem to the relationship with others in the following manner; after instructing us with the constant necessity of acknowledging the presence of the Almighty, to honor Him if so, logically one has to protect the dignity of all created by Hashem. Therefor murder is prohibited, for one is robbing Hashem of a person who can honor Him. Adultery is forbidden, because the child doesn’t know who the father is and therefore is robbed of the segue of honoring their father as their creator and in turn focusing with honor on the ultimate Creator, Hashem. This also applies to kidnapping.
Initially we would logically say murder is robbing a life, adultery is the ruination of a marriage and kidnapping is stealing a child/adult!
We are being taught that there is a major perception that is the most impactive, every ‘small’ action has to be judged with the clarity of how it affects one’s relationship with the Almighty. Only then will intellectual and emotional bias not prevail!
It’s the little things that define a person. For little things are the pathway to larger ideas! To be completely dedicated to a true spiritual life and to accomplish it demands complete subservience to every nuance possible. Any action which is antithetical to one’s goal will rob one of excellence and on the contrary may be the catalyst for failure.
Today, more than ever, when we live in a difficult time, the Torah teaches us to be careful with the “small things”.
