After the giving of the Torah to Bnei
Yisrael, Parshas Mishpatim begins the more practical aspects of learning a new
system of life and laws. But in fact, hidden among the everyday laws of business,
property damage, and personal injury, one of the most famous phrases in Jewish
history is uttered. “וַיִּקַּח֙ סֵ֣פֶר הַבְּרִ֔ית
וַיִּקְרָ֖א בְּאָזְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה
וְנִשְׁמָֽע” And he (Moshe) took the book of the covenant and read it
within the hearing of the people, and they said, ‘All that Hashem spoke we
will do and we will hear” (Shemos 24:7).
Believe it or not, the
well-known phrase most commonly associated with Matan Torah actually only
appears a full parsha later. This leads to the obvious question: why did it
take Bnei Yisrael so long to say this? They needed to hear the laws of
Mishpatim in order to have this reaction? Furthermore, it’s not as if this was
their first opportunity; twice previously, in 19:8 (before Matan Torah) and
24:3, the Bnei Yisrael said “we will do”, without saying “we will hear.” So what
was different about this time?
We’ve discussed this
question in previous years, but this year, I’d like to focus on the answer of
Rabbi Yaakov Kaminetzky. At Har Sinai during the giving of the Torah, the
pesukim explain the amazing sites the nation witnessed. Fire, thick clouds of
smoke, terrifying shofar blasts, thunder and lightning, it all made for an
awesome display. The main feature of these sights may have been the sound;
these elements made for a tremendous sound which overloaded the senses and had
an overwhelming effect on the people present. However, Chazal explain that each
person actually was only able to hear what they were capable of handling.
Based on this midrash,
Reb Yaakov explains simply that the previous two times the Bnei Yisrael
exclaimed “נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה”, it was declared by parts
of the nation who could not fully hear what had gone on at Har Sinai. But this
time, the pasuk describes the Torah as being read “בְּאָזְנֵ֣י
הָעָ֑ם”, directly into the ears of the people. This group included the
Jews who could hear all that went on at Matan Torah, which was actually the vast
majority of the nation. Therefore, at this time, the Nation was ready and able
to declare, “נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה וְנִשְׁמָֽע!” They could now acknowledge
the full force of Hashem’s power on display at Har Sinai, proudly accept the
Torah, and promise to keep it to its full capacity.
Shabbat Shalom!
Click here for last year's Dvar Torah & Podcast for Parshas Mishaptim
Click here to listen this this week's Podcast (Also available on Apple Podcasts)
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