B"H

Monday, Shevat 19, 5781 / February 1, 2021

This week’s Parsha, Yitro, is about thegreatest event in Jewish history – the Giving of the Torahon Mount Sinai, to the Jewish people.

Before offering the Torah to the Jewish people, G-d offered it to many other nations. But after hearing some of the commandments and prohibitions in the Torah, all other nations refused the Torah. Only the Jewish people offered to accept the Torah without any pre conditions and G-d accepted the offer.  

Q.   How long after the Exodus from Egypt did G-d give the Torah to the Jewish people?

A.    Seven weeks later.

Q.   On which day of the week did the Jewish people leave Egypt and on which day was the Torah given?

A.    Jews left Egypt on Thursday and the Torah was given, seven weeks later, on Shabbat.

Q.    Is there any hint in the Torah as to the day in which the Torah was given?

A.  Yes.In Genesis, at the end of the story of creation, the Torah states, "And G-d finished on the seventh day the work which He had made..." (Genesis 2:1-2). 

The Rabbis ask, How can the Torah say that G-d finished His work on the seventh day, when we know that He rested on the seventh day? 

They answer that it refers to the seventh day (Shabbat) in which G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people.  On that "seventh" day - the day when G-d gave the Torah - the universe was considered finished for the Torah is the purpose of creation.

Q.  Why wasn’t the Torah given to the people as soon as they left Egypt? Why wait seven weeks?

A.  The Midrash gives the following parable: A king had a son who was sick for a lengthy time.  When the young prince finally felt a bit better, his teacher asked the king to send the prince back to school. But the king replied, "My son has not yet fully recovered from his illness. For the next few months let him eat and drink and after, when he is completely recovered, I will send him to school. 

Similarly, G-d said, “My children have just come out of Egypt where they were tortured and enslaved. How can I give them the Torah so soon? Let them enjoy the manna, the water of the well and the quail.   Once they are completely healed, then I will give them the Torah."

Q.  When one is called to the Torah we refer to it as an "Aliyah."  Why is it called Aliyah?

A.   "Aliyah" means "going up."  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 to the Torah is a spiritual elevation.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY & SUCCESSFUL DAY