B"H
Thursday, Shevat 16, 5778 / February 1, 2018
This Shabbat we read Parshat Yitro, about the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are recorded in this Parsha. They are recorded again in the last book of the Torah, Deuteronomy.
Q.When one is called to the Torah we refer to it as an "Aliyah." Why is it called Aliyah?
A."Aliyah" means to ascend, to be elevated. Since the Torah is read on a Bimah, which is an elevated platform, one would ascend when being called to the Torah. Also, being called up to the Torah is a spiritual elevation.
Q. What is the significance of the number "Ten" ("Ten" commandments)?
A.In the beginning of the Torah we find that G-d created the world through ten sayings. The TEN Commandments correspond to the TEN sayings with which G-d created the world.
Our sages explain, "This teaches us that by keeping the Ten Commandments, one preserves the universe and by desecrating the Ten Commandments, one brings destruction to the universe.
Q. There are 620 letters in the Ten Commandments. What is the significance of this number?
A. They correspond to the 613 Biblical Mitzvot plus 7 Rabbinical laws, which total 620!
The crown placed on top of the Torah scroll is called "Keter." The word "Keter" has the numerical value of 620 (20+400+200=620). This alludes to the biblical and rabbinical mitzvot.
Q. The fourth commandment is, “Remember the day of Shabbat to keep it holy...” For none of the other commandments does the Torah use the expression “remember.” What does “Remember the Shabbat” mean?
A. The Talmudic sage Rabbi Yehuda ben B'teira says, "Other nations have a name for each day of the week (Sunday, Monday etc.), but we call the days of the week as first day; second day; third day, etc. This helps us fulfill the mitzvah to 'Remember the day of Shabbat.' For when we say the first day, the second day etc. it reminds us that we are counting toward the seventh day - Shabbat.
"Remember the day of Shabbat" - On Shabbat it is customary to greet each other with "Good Shabbos" or "Shabbat Shalom" etc. This too, say our sages, is a way of fulfilling "Remember the Shabbat." Thus, it is important to greet each other on Shabbat, not like other days, with good morning or good evening, but with the traditional greeting in which "Shabbat" is mentioned, thus remembering the day of Shabbat.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY