[Avodah] Naaseh V'nishma

[Cantor Wolberg]

The Maharal of Prague asks, “If the Jewish people had already accepted  
the Torah at Sinai with the declaration of Naaseh V’nishmah why was it  
necessary for God to hold a mountain over their heads to compel them  
to accept the Torah? The Maharal answers that it is true that the  
Jewish people had said Naaseh V’nishmah; however, the mountain over  
their heads was to demonstrate to them that they must accept the Torah  
because it is the Will of God regardless of their own preference.
The naaseh v'nishma paradigm reminds me of when someone asks: "Can you  
do me a favor?"  Usually the person responds: "What would you like?"  
Whereas, the naaseh v'nishma response to some who asks: "Can you do me  
a favor" would be "Yes, I'd be glad to do you a favor." Then  
afterwards the follow-up response would be: "What would you like?"  
That would be the true Jewish response following in the footsteps of  
naaseh v'nishma.

rw
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