I am HaShem, your G-d

(Exodus 20:2)

Shevat 17, 5778/February 3, 2018

This week's Torah reading, parashat Yitro, is most famous, of course, for its central theme, the giving and receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai, referred to familiarly as the Sinai revelation. In a tremendous, unprecedented, global axis-shifting event, full of fire and smoke, lightning and thunder and earth shaking immanence, G-d speaks face to face with Israel. But what is the sensory warping light and sound all about? What was the subtext to G-d's Ten Commandments?

The prophet Jeremiah describes it perfectly when he quotes G-d's words: "I remember to you the lovingkindness of your youth, the love of your nuptials, your following Me in the desert, in a land not sown." (Jeremiah 2:2) G-d wants to take his growing relationship with the children of Israel to a whole other level. He heard their cries in Egypt and with signs and wonders extricated them from their bondage. But, as Jeremiah points out, He brought them to a desolate and barren place, miles from nowhere. We can cast a critical eye on Israel for its grumblings over food and water, or the lack thereof, in their new and strange surroundings, but they were just being human. And rather than castigate them for their humanity, G-d embraces it at Sinai. As much as the Sinai revelation pulsates with G-d's majesty, it positively abounds with man's humanity. The opening account involving Moshe's reunion with his father-in-law Yitro, Tziporraand their two children, which quickly becomes a celebration involving Aharonand the elders, and a relating of the miraculous exodus from Egypt, offerings to G-d and a thanksgiving meal, bespeaks the human condition at its finest. Yitro'ssubsequent advice to Moshe concerning the creation of a judiciary is born out of his concern for Moshe's very human frailty and mortality, as well as that of the entire nation. The nation's fear and intimidation at the intense enormity of G-d's presence as He prepares them for Sinai is addressed by G-d and Moshewith love and tenderness. And most telling, of course, is the fact that nine out of the ten commandments are all about man's responsibilities to one another and to himself. Even the commandment "You shall not have the gods of others in My presence" (Exodus 20:3) is a commandment whose observance is only for the well being and betterment of man. Its observance enhances man. Its transgression diminishes man, not G-d.

Only one commandment is all about G-d, and this, of course, is the first commandment: "I am HaShem, your G-d, Who took you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." (ibid 20:2) This is the first commandment, because it is G-d's most urgent message to Israel, and the reason for the six hundred and twelve commandments that will follow. G-d is giving Himself over to His people Israel. "I am yours," he declares! All the pyrotechnics, the breathtaking display of cosmic awe and power which was heard and felt, not just at Sinai, but the world over, was all for this one moment, the moment when G-d declares His eternal bond with Israel. It wasn't fear and trembling that G-d desired to inspire, but a reality flooding expression of His love for Israel. Israel, indeed, followed G-d into desert, into a land not sown. Gripes and complaints aside, Israel showed her total trust in G-d. Now G-d is expressing His gratitude for Israel's faith in Him, and announcing His unconditional love for Israel. But G-d is also asking for more. The Sinai revelation is G-d's proposal to Israel to transform their new found love into a permanent union, an eternal covenant founded upon mutual trust: Israel's trust in G-d's providence and G-d's trust in Israel's humanity. Like young lovers determined to forge a future together, Israel says 'I do' to G-d and G-d say 'I do' to Israel. The revelation at Sinai is a revelation of an eternal love between G-d and His people. The relationship formalized at Sinai will experience endless trials and tribulations, but like all marriages made in heaven, and, more importantly, on earth, this love affair will last forever.

How sweet that G-d concludes the Ten Commandments with an eleventh commandment: "You have seen that from the heavens I have spoken with you. You shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall slaughter beside it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. Wherever I allow My name to be mentioned, I will come to you and bless you." (ibid 20:20-21) Following His purposely dramatic revelation of His love for Israel, G-d reveals His true bottom-line desire for Israel's most dramatic and fundamental expression of love for G-d: the building of an altar, man's eternal gesture of longing for G-d's nearness, from the first altar, built by Adam, to the great stone altar that stands before the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, may it be rebuilt speedily in our days, and may the love of its flames be rekindled forever!

-The Temple Institute