Rabbi Chaim Brovender: What was the purpose of the Har Sinai Experience? In his Parsha shiur this week, Rabbi Brovender discussed the significance of the Har Sinai Experience. I will be writing my blog posts more briefly and concisely, so they take less time to read. Firstly, when talking about Ma’amad Har Sinai and Matan Torah we need to be clear on the timeframe we are referring to. The Har Sinai Experience through which the Torah was given (what was actually given, and at what stages in a shiur in itself), actually covers 120 days, from the 6th or 7th of Sivan until Yom Kippur, when Moshe Rabbenu received the Second Luchot. These 120 days comprise of 3 blocks of 40 days each. Parshat Mishpatim is clearly a continuation of Parshat Yitro when many of the Mitzvot are given. There is a debate amongst the Rishonim as to what was given in Parshat Yitro – was it just the first two of the ten commandments or all of them? Certainly though, all agree that Parshat Mishpatim and subsequent Parshiyot in the Torah continue and add to what was given in Parshat Yitro. When and the stages in which the Torah She’Baal Peh was given is also discussed at length by the Rishonim and Mefarshim. The idea that the month of Tishrei and the Asseret Yemei Teshuvah is now a time for Teshuva, is based in the Torah itself. It was in this third and final 40 day time period between Rosh Chodesh Tishrei and Yom Kippur that Moshe was up on Har Sinai after having spent the middle 40 day block, trying to make Am Yisrael do Teshuvah and preparing them for receiving the second Luchot. Many don’t realize that primarily Yom Kippur is the culmination and climax of Matan Torah, which started 120 days earlier, on Shavuot. Now we have the outline of the timing clear, we can think about what the essential purpose of Matan Torah was. Rabbi Brovender explained that there are two schools of thought as to the deeper significance of Matan Torah: 1) The Rambam in Moreh Nevuchim (2:33): The Har Sinai Experience was a means through which Moshe could demonstrate that HE was the unique and true prophet who had a special relationship with Hashem. Of course, Matan Torah is when the ‘Torah’ was first given, but beyond that it was an opportunity for Am Yisrael to see that Moshe was the main prophet and leader. Har Sinai was primarily a lesson to teach Am Yisrael the concept of hierarchy in leadership. The Rambam writes that, ‘Speech was addressed to Moshe alone’. The Rambam believed that it was at Har Sinai that the prophecy of Moshe Rabbenu was validated. 2) The Ramban, Drashot Ha’Ran and Kuzari: At Matan Torah, Am Yisrael JOINED with Moshe Rabbenu and were EQUALLY part of that unique experience. At Har Sinai all of Am Yisrael stood before Hashem and received the basis of our Torah and faith. It was a 120 day time period when we could develop a unique connection and relationship with Hashem, and not an opportunity for Hashem to show Moshe Rabbenu was the leader of Am Yisrael. Har Sinai was a time period of coronation of Hashem and the Torah for Am Yisrael. Which approach do you think fits in best to the Pshat and meaning of the text? Do you think Matan Torah was a 120 day time period for Moshe Rabbenu to assert his authority and leadership or rather an opportunity for all of Am Yisrael TOGETHER with Moshe Rabbenu to celebrate being part of the ‘Am Segulah’, rooted in Har Sinai. Shabbat Shalom, Benjy Singer.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 03:38:15 +0000
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