B"H
Friday, Iyar 26, 5776 / June 3, 2016 (41th day of the Omer) Hakhel year
In the Diaspora we read Parshat Bechukotei, this Shabbat. In Israel, Parshat Bamidbar, is read. Being the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh, we bless the new month Sivan.
Rosh Chodesh is one day, beginning Monday night through Tuesday.
Sivanis a special month because G-d gave us the Torah at Mount Sinai in the month of Sivan. In the Torah, the month of Sivan is called, “the third month.”
The last verse of Parshat Bechukotei is: “These are the mitzvot which G-d commanded Moshe for the children of Israel (Jewish people) at Mount Sinai.”
Q. Was Mount Sinai a tall mountain?
A. Our sages tell us that Mount Sinai was one of the smallest amongst the mountains.
Q.Why did G-d choose to give the Torah at Mount Sinai and not on one of the taller mountains?
A.Our sages tell us that the higher and taller mountains figured that G-d will choose to give the Torah on them. But G-d chose Mount Sinai, for the very fact that it is not a tall mountain. G-d wanted to teach the Jewish people that Torah cannot be acquired when one feels tall and haughty. Only through humility and modesty can one merit acquiring and absorbing the depth of the knowledge of Torah. Like Mount Sinai, the mountain the Torah was given on, humility and Torah go hand in hand.
Q. Why then did G-d choose to give the Torah on a mountain? He should have given it on flat ground?
A.Mount Sinai teaches us another important lesson. When coming to learn Torah one may encounter obstacles. Good things do not come easy. G-d wants us to make an effort to study Torah and observe the mitzvot. Mount Sinai teaches us that a person must know that when coming to perform G-d’s commandments they will encounter a mountain of obstacles – whether from within or from without.
But Mount Sinai is a small mountain. G-d didn’t give the Torah on a high mountain. Mount Sinai is a manageable mountain. It is climbable. It teaches us that, yes, one has to put effort into it, one has to climb the mountain, but it is within reach of everyone who decides to make the effort.
Our sages say that G-d does not demand of us something which we cannot handle. If He commands us to perform the mitzvot, He also gives us the ability to accomplish it.
When a person makes an effort to study Torah and perform the mitzvot, G-d helps them overcome all obstacles. He helps even more when one truly believes in it.
SHABBAT SHALOM
Montrealcandle lighting time: 8:19 / Shabbat ends: 9:36