B"H
Tuesday, Shevat 16, 5782 / January 18, 2022
The highlight of this week's Parsha, Yitro, is G-d's giving the Ten Commandments to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. In addition to the Ten Commandments, all 613 commandments were given to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. This great event took place seven weeks after The Exodus.
Q. Why did G-d wait 50 days after the Exodus to give the Torah?
A. During their long enslavement in Egypt, a majority of Israelites adopted the ways of the Egyptians. As a result, they had fallen to a very low spiritual level, even to the point of worshipping idols. In order to receive the Torah, they had to elevate themselves spiritually. Only when they achieved that spiritual level did G-d give them the Torah. It took 50 days for them to achieve that spirtual level.
The Midrash gives another reason with 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 boy to school. But the king replied, "My son has not yet fully recovered. 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. What is the significance of the number "Ten" ("Ten" commandments)?
A. Our Talmudic sages tell us that G-d created the world with Ten sayings. The Ten Commandments correspond to the Ten sayings with which G-d created the world. This, say our sages, teaches us that by keeping the Ten Commandments, one preserves 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!
Q. Why is it costomery to place a crown on the Torah?
A. The "crown" placed on top of the Torah scroll is called "Keter Torah." The word "Keter" (crown) has the numerical value of 620 (20+400+200=620). This alludes to the biblical and rabbinical mitzvot.
Q. The first letter of the Ten Commandments is "Alef" and the last one is "Chaf" (1+20) which totals 21. What is the significance of this?
A. According to Rabbi Sadiya Gaon, all the mitzvot of the Torah are found within the Ten Commandments. The first letter of each of the Five Books of the Torah add up to 21 (2+6+6+6+1). The number 21 of the Ten Commandments hints to the fact that the entire Torah was given at Mount Sinai.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY