[Avodah] Yisro "The Minyan of Commandments"

[Richard Wolpoe]

On Jan 19, 2008 6:57 PM, Richard Wolberg <cantorwolberg at cox.net> wrote:

> *The Torah states regarding the preparation for receiving the Torah at **Mount
> Sinai**: "And the Israelites encamped there near the mountain." (Exodus
> 19:2)*
>
> *The Hebrew word for "encamped" is "vayichan." What is particularly
> interesting is that the second time "vayichan" is used it is in the
> singular form; the grammatically correct form would be "vayachanu" (which
> is used the first time in the sentence). What do we learn from the word
> "vayichan"?*
>
> *Rashi tells us that the singular form is used to tell us that they
> encamped "as one person with a single desire." From here Rabbi Yeruchem
> Levovitz commented that we see that the love of our fellow man is a
> prerequisite for accepting the Torah.*
>
> *Rabbi Yitzchok of Vorki noted that the word "vayichan" besides meaning
> "encamped" also comes from the word "khain," which means "grace" or
> "favor." That is, the people found favor in the eyes of one another and
> therefore found favor in the eyes of the Almighty.*
>
> *When you just see the faults and shortcomings of another person, you
> become distant from him or her. However, when you see the good and positive
> traits in other people, you become closer to them. This unity is a
> fundamental requirement for accepting the Torah and certainly for keeping it
> properly. *
>
> *How is this developed? We find in the book Nachal Kidumim (by the great
> scholar, R' Chaim Yosef Dovid Azulai, known as the Chida) that togetherness
> between people is possible only when there is humility. When the Israelites
> came to **Mount Sinai**, which is the symbol of humility, they
> internalized this attribute.*
>
> *When you have humility, you do not feel a need to gain power over others
> or feel above them by focusing on their faults. When you have the trait of
> humility you can allow yourself to see the good in others. The traits of
> love for others, seeing the good in them, and having humility go hand in
> hand. By growing in these traits you make yourself into a more elevated
> person who is worthy of receiving the Torah.*
>
> *Based on **Growth Through Torah **by Rabbi Z. Pliskin*
> *
> R Wolberg
> *
>

This concept re-inforces the need for Jewish Unity and it is therefore easy
to understand that if we are to be ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY LH and Rbibis would
be off-limits amongst ourselves on a completely different level with
outsides.  A Torah community in order to foster "Mamleches kohanim v'goy
Kadosh" must be very vigilant to maintain a high-level of mutual respect,
co-operation, and indeed humility.

While certainly  for our own neshama, we must behave properly to all, [Jew
and Gentile alike], we must foster a certain loving, familial bond
internally which we preclude even minimal anti-social behavior. That would
explain why there are such strict strictures on ona'ah etc.

I was once on a list when a list-member suggested that I allow more
criticism and cynicism about human nature and to not be strict about LH etc.
I suggested back tot hat poster that he start by being brutally honest with
his own spouse. That seemed to put an end to his need for truth-telling! If
we treat all of Israel as one beloved family then it would be patently
obvious why
we need to be so strict.

Much of this is adapted from recent lesson in Shemiras Halashon's daily
lessons  He compares one Jew complaining about another as like kids
quibbling in front of their Dad. The internal strife is worse than the issue
at hand etc.  ayein sham
 --
Kol Tuv / Best Regards,
RabbiRichWolpoe at Gmail.com
see: http://nishmablog.blogspot.com/
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