Thursday 5 April 2012

Illu Keirvanu Lifnei Har Sinai, v'lo Natan lanu et haTorah - Dayyenu!

Doesn't it seem odd to get to Har Sinai and to NOT receive the Torah?! What gives?

In my upcoming post on standing for the Shirah, the idea emerges that REVELATION, even w/o mitzvot, is an end in itself. And at Sinai, just as at Yam Suf, we received a massive dose of Revelation

The liturgy itself reflects this. Once upon a time a friend asked me - is there a connection between the Haftarah of Yitro and of Shavuot?

The answer: Indeed there is. BOTH deal with Revelation and the Kedushah.

In Yisro the Haftarah has a private revelation to Y'shayah. It includes the vision of the Kissei Ram v'Nisso and the threefold Kadosh

Similarly the Haftarah on Shavuot is a private revelation of the Maaseh Merkava to Y'chezkeil, and we end it with Baruch K'vod Hashem. The other major component of the Kedushah.

Thus, Both Haftarot reflect revelation and holiness, and do not directly address "mitzvot". Contrast them with the Haftarah of V'arvah, for example, where Mal'achi makes it a point to close with Zichru Torat Moshe Avdi

Thus, there IS a benefit to Ma'amad Har Sinai, independent of the Hukkim uMishpatim. And for that, we are also grateful!

Hag Kasher v'Samei'ach,
RRW

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