Torah
Shortcomings and Self Improvement
By: Rabbi Jonathan Duker
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These week’s parsha describes the giving of the Torah to Moshe, who was tasked with teaching it to Israel. The Talmud in Massechet Shabbat depicts an exchange in the heavens in which the angles, with good reason, object to the Divine Torah being given to lowly man in the following narration:
When Moshe went up, the angels said before the god : Master of the World! What business does this child of a human mother have here!
God replied: He has come to receive the Torah.
They responded: The secret treasure, which You have kept hidden for 974 generations from before the world was even created, You want to give it to flesh and blood!
God said to Moshe: Answer them.
Moshe answered: What is written in this Torah? “I am the Lord your God, which brought you out of the Land of Egypt.” Were you enslaved in Egypt? So why should the Torah be yours. What else is written - “You shall have none other gods.” Do you live among people who engage in idol worship?” What else is written – “Remember the Shabbat and keep it holy”. Do you work and need to rest? What else is written - Honor your father and mother” – do you have fathers and mothers?” What else is written – “You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You Shall not steal.” Is you have jealousy or desire?
Immediately, the angels conceded.
This aggada is telling us that the Torah was given to us not despite our shortcomings, but because of them. Met we all be worthy of taking the Torah’s lessons and improving on our all too human shortcomings.
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| Uploaded: | Thursday, February 16, 2017 |