Chosen to Share - Shavuot 5785

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Hashem gave the Jewish people the Torah.  We are taught that He chose us to receive the Torah.  In the blessings we say every morning and upon being called to the Torah, we say “Who chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah.”  It seems as if the Torah was an exclusive gift that Hashem chose to give specifically to us as opposed to the other nations.


Slight problem:  Our Sages teach that Hashem offered the Torah to every nation!  When Moshe blessed the people before he passed, he said the following Devarim 33:2):  “G-d’s presence came from Mount Sinai to meet them. He shone forth to them after coming from Mount Se’ir. He appeared after coming from Mount Paran.  What was He doing on Mount Se’ir and Mount Paran?  This is the Biblical source for the teaching that Hashem first offered the Torah to all the nations. 


The nations didn’t want the Torah because it interfered with their lifestyles.  The nation of Eisav said they live by the sword.  Others Ammon and Moav - present day Jordan) said they can’t accept the laws of family fidelity, and others (Yishmael) the laws of stealing.  Each nation had an excuse not to accept the Torah.  The Jewish people took the opposite approach: Na’ase Venishma - we will observe and we will hear(or we will understand).  We accepted Hashem’s will and agreed to set our lifestyle by His Torah, whether we understand or not.


So really the statement should be that we chose Hashem, rather than Hashem chose us?  The answer is that indeed Hashem chose us to be the followers and keepers of the Torah.  This choice was already stated to our father Avraham, and even before the world was created.  As the Talmud says, would we not receive the Torah, the world would have no purpose.  Nevertheless, Hashem chose to offer the Torah to all the nations, even though of course He knew that they would not accept.  What for?  Was Hashem playing a game?


One answer given by Rabbi Shneor Ashkenazi is that although the other nations did not accept, the very fact that it was offered to them had a profound impact on the world.  While the observance of the 613 Mitzvot is the Jewish lifestyle and mission, the Torah’s moral and ethical teachings are for the entire world to follow.  At the time Hashem gave us the 613 Mitzvot, He gave seven universal laws to all people and nations, the path to a peaceful, moral and fruitful world.  By offering the Torah to the nations, Hashem set into motion the potential for the Torah to impact them, softening the darkness and opening the way for righteousness.


As we approach Shavuot - Monday and Tuesday June 2 & 3 - we celebrate and relive this great event that made us Hashem’s nation.  We recommit to observe the Torah, and to study its meaning and the reasons behind the Mitzvot that we have committed to.  As was the case on the original Shavuot at Mount Sinai 3,337 years ago, when all our people, men, women and children were present at the Giving of the Torah, we all gather in the synagogue, even infants ,to hear the Torah reading and once again accept the Torah.  


And to the extent we are able to, we share the Torah’s message of goodness and kindness with the world.  I invite you to join us for this beautiful Holiday.  In the words of the traditional Chassidic blessing, may you receive the Torah with joy and internalize it.

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