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By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum
והייתם לי סגולה מכל העמים…ואתם תהיו לי ממלכת כהנים וגוי קדוש (פרק יט פסוק ה-ו)
Before the giving of the Torah to Klal Yisroel, Hashem informs them that they will be a treasure from all the nations, and that they will be a kingdom of priests. What is the connection and what is meant by this? The Sforno explains that although Hashem loves all of mankind and created the world for their purpose, He specifically treasures Klal Yisroel. The reason for this is because they will be for Him a kingdom of priests. This means, that just as the priests, the kohanim, were appointed to teach Torah to all Klal Yisroel, so too the Jewish nation is appointed to explain and teach to the whole world proper belief in Hashem. It is our job to show the world how to properly believe in Him and serve Him, and in this role, we are especially treasured by Hashem.
בכל מקום אשר אזכיר את שמי אבוא אליך וברכתיך (פרק כ פסוק כא)
Hashem tells us that “anywhere that I will mention my Name, I will come there and bless you.” Rashi explains that wherever Hashem gives us permission to mention his Ineffable Name, i.e. the Beis Hamikdash, there will be a special Divine Presence which will be source of blessing for us. R’ Chaim Volozhiner raises the question, that the point of the pasuk then is that anywhere that we mention Hashem’s Name, He will bless us. Why is it written as anywhere that I (Hashem) will mention my Name, I will bless you? R’ Chaim explains that the Torah is reminding us that anything we do in life, we receive the ability to do it from Hashem. Even when we make the right decision, even if it is hard, we only can act on it because Hashem gives us the ability. In essence, every time we do something, it is Hashem doing it. Yet, Hashem is still promising us reward and blessing for coming and declaring His Name. Even though it all comes from Him, He still rewards us for doing the right thing. This serves as a reminder for us to not take credit and feel haughty for our spiritual accomplishments, and it reminds us of Hashem’s amazing kindness when rewarding us.
