Two Minute Torah Podcast

B'haalotecha 5770 by Rabbi Helene Kornsgold

In Parashat B'haalotecha there is a very famous pasuk: "vayehi binsoa ha'aron" which we say when we remove the sefer torah from the ark. Just before and after these pasuk we find the inverted letter "Nun".

The Ramban, a 13th century commentator, suggests that the inverted "Nuns" represent what he understands as a sin - when B'nai Yisrael turned away from God. B'nai Yisrael traveled from Har Sinai in joy like a child running out of school to get away in case God would want to give them more mitzvot.

In order to examine this Ramban a little more closely, let's look at the event which took place at Har Sinai involving B'nai Yisrael. When B'nai Yisrael was offered the Torah they responded first "na'aseh v'nishma" "we will do first, and afterwards, understand". In other words, the Jewish people promise first to observe the laws of the Torah, and only afterward to study these laws. In traditional Jewish culture this statement has come to epitomize the Jewish commitment to the Torah. They were willing to accept the Torah regardless of what it involved without even asking what was in it. In view of this, it seems uncharacteristic of B'nai Yisrael to turn away from God in fear of being given more mitzvot to observe. Therefore, there must be something else going on here!

A person's natural tendency is to run away from responsibility. Given this natural pull away from responsibility, then it becomes very difficult to appreciate the fact that this "responsibility" actually has the power to bring an incredible amount of good and happiness to a person., The question is if B'nai Yisrael, who witnessed all the miracles at the time of the giving of the Torah and were on such a high level, did not fully understand the joy of the mitzvot, how can we do the mitzvot properly with the proper happiness and joy?

This can be difficult at times. We all know we often take our health for granted. How many of us wake up everyday and don't even think about the miraculous things we can accomplish because we are healthy? Similarly, we take the Torah for granted. Therefore, one way to do the mitzvot with the proper happiness and joy is to first be mindful of what we are doing. Just as you can appreciate your health by going on a hike, running by the beach or exercising at the gym, so too you can express joy for the Torah by applying these same action principles. The next time you celebrate Shabbat with your college friends - bring everyone together for a meal, sing z'mirot (songs) after you eat or relax in the park and enjoy a restful Shabbat afternoon. The next time you participate in Relay for Life or the next time you bake Challah for Hunger, know that you yourself are transformed and these mitzvot enrich your life.