Parshas Yisro contains the most
important event in Jewish history, the Giving of the Torah. Seven weeks after
leaving Mitzrayim, Bnei Yisrael arrived at Har Sinai and received the Torah directly
from Hashem who appeared on Har Sinai in a way that left no doubt to His
existence and ruler ship over the world. For that reason, the world remembers
that event; we remember it because it was when we officially became the Nation
of Hashem.
The pesukim noting Bnei Yisrael’s
arrival at Har Sinai seem to be out of order. The pesukim say, “בחדש השלישי לצאת בני ישראל
מארץ מצרים ביום הזה באו מדבר סיני .ויסעו מרפידים ויבאו מדבר סיני
ויחנו במדבר” “In the
third month from Bnei Yisrael leaving Egypt, on this day they arrived at the
Sinai Desert. And they traveled from Refidim and they arrived at the Sinai
Desert and they camped in the desert” (Shemos 19:1-2). All the commentaries
ask the same question: From Pasuk 2 we see that Bnei Yisrael only arrived at
Har Sinai after traveling from Refidim. But Pasuk 1 makes it sound as if
they arrived there before Refidim. Why would the pasuk write the traveling
record out of order?
The Ramban answers with a beautiful thought. Moshe had told the Bnei
Yisrael that when they arrived at Har Sinai, Hashem was going to give them the
Torah. Bnei Yisrael were so excited over this news that from the time they left
Mitzrayim, they were filled with joy and anticipation, just waiting until they
would arrive. As soon as the time drew near for their arrival at Har Sinai,
they became even more excited. The pasuk is written out of order to tell us
that when the beginning of the month hit, and Bnei Yisrael knew they would
receive the Torah in three days, their anticipation overpowered everything
else. Therefore, the pasuk tells us that they were in the Sinai Desert before
it tells us the exact path they took to get there.
In
fact, they were so excited that when they arrived at the mountain, they didn’t even
stop to look for a good place to camp! They just rushed into the area and
settled down as quickly as they could in the first spot they came too. We learn
this from the fact that Pasuk 1 says, “They arrived at the Sinai Desert”, while
Pasuk 2 says, “They camped in the desert.”
The Ohr HaChaim explains that this excitement
was reciprocated. The day of Matan Torah was one that had been anticipated by
all of creation, and especially Hashem. This was the day that would make all of
creation worthwhile and would confirm to Hashem His long-lasting faith in the
children of Avraham Avinu. All that remained was for Bnei Yisrael to finally
arrive, and that day was finally here. Therefore, Hashem worded the pesukim out
of order, to show He was so excited over Bnei Yisrael coming to Har Sinai, that
that excitement took precedence over any event that may have come before it.
Matan Torah was important for both
Hashem and Bnei Yisrael- and really for the world as a whole- all for different
reasons. When you are in anticipation of an important event, and you feel that
excitement building up, the only thing that can make you even more
excited is to know that the other party involved in this event is just as
excited as you are. Based on these explanations, the same pasuk proves to us
that both Hashem and Bnei Yisrael were both extremely excited for Matan
Torah to take place; and that might be the greatest thought to come out of this
parshah.
Shabbat Shalom!
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