YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Shmot
- Yitro
What is it doing here? Does it tell us how to act, or how not to act? Should it even be counted among the 10, or is it more of an introduction to what follows?
There are those who see this sentence as a kind of preamble; that Hashem is "announcing," right from the get-go, that all the succeeding commands emanate from a Divine source, and as such are direct, immutable laws that come straight from G-d and so cannot be altered. Others see this intro as Hashem, in a sense, "justifying" the code of behavior He is imposing on us, as if to say: "I took you out of Egypt and saved you from certain destruction, in order for you to fulfill meaningful, holy lives, which these very commandments will guarantee."
I want to suggest another idea.
I think the key word here is "Anochi." While the word can indeed mean, "I," it also is an actual name of G-d (as in "HaShomer Achi Anochi" – "G-d is my brother’s keeper"). Of all the names that could have been used here, at this special moment, Hashem chose to employ "Anochi." Why?
"Anochi" establishes a personal relationship with Hashem. It tells us that He is not a detached, distant deity that may run the universe, yet has no interest or awareness of all His subjects. Instead, He is part of the lives of each and every one of us; He sees us, hears us, cares about us and relates to us on a one-to-one basis. True, He has many shluchim - messengers to bring His will into fruition, and many diverse vehicles to effect His plan for the world. But He is always "in on the conversation" and never absent.
I grew up in Chicago in an era "ruled" by legendary Mayor R. J. Daley, whose Democratic machine tightly controlled city politics for decades. My political science professor, Milton Rakove, who was once a precinct captain for the Democrats, explained how Daley held on to power for so long. The precinct captain reported to the committeeman, who reported to the alderman, who reported to the mayor. After each election, the "lieutenants" had to sit before "General" Daley and report exactly how many votes their area brought in for the party. When it came his turn, the professor proudly told the mayor that in his precinct, only 1 single person had voted Republican. The
mayor commended him, but just before he got up to leave, said to him, "Hang on there, you; let’s discuss that one vote!"
Al achat kama v’kama, in Hashem’s precinct, every single vote – and voter – counts. G-d’s "I" is always on us.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
Jewish Laws and Thoughts Shul “etiquette:” can we honor Hashem while respecting our fellow congregants?
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
