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Yes. Coercion; literally coercion. We are talking about coercion until the point that they say "yes." "I want to be forced. I want to limit my scope of choice; I knowingly relinquish my rights to independence." The people agreed to put themselves under the discipline of the rules from Above. When the Divine Will expresses itself, there is no room for human will. The person negates himself to the fullest extent, and when the person is negated, there is no room for his will. Everything has to do with the Divine Will. Coercion!
"A person should not say, ‘I do not want to eat pig meat …’ rather, ‘I would like to eat it, but what am I to do, as my Father in the Heaven has decreed upon me to refrain from it’" (Sifra, Kedoshim 10:11). Saying "I do not want it" is revealing one’s own will, whereas the whole meaning of the Torah is to negate the individual’s desire in face of the heavenly desire. There is a high level of service of Hashem in which a person negates his own desires to the point that they are linked to the Divine Will in a manner that not only does he not want things for himself but the Divine Will is his will to the fullest degree. We find this concept being played out in the reacceptance of the Torah with full free will at the time of Achashveirosh, and this is behind the idea of na’aseh v’nishma ("we will do and hear"). The essence of the Torah is indeed forcing one’s own desires to be proper.
The reconcilement of the various sources as to what happened at Sinai is that the coercion began only after the people said na’aseh v’nishma. Before that point, coercion would not have been significant, as it would not have been an expression of service of Hashem.
We can see the direction in which "free desire" can take us in the deterioration of society that is taking place in full force before us. There are desires that know no boundaries, and this is destroying the world. The situation is leading people like sheep to the slaughter, and it is an example of man harnessing his own power for his own destruction. [Ed. Note – I do not know if there was a specific event or societal phenomenon at the time of this address – in the 50’s – that prompted these sharp words, which, it can be argued, often apply.]
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.