 Torah Thoughts
This week we read the Torah portion Yitro
(Exodus 18-20). It contains 72 verses and 17 commandments- 3
positive (“do’s”) and 14 negative (“do not’s”) commandments.
Although our portion is relatively short, it contains a
description of the most momentous event since Creation- the Giving of the
Torah.
There is so much to be said about the prologue to the
Ten Commandments and the commandments themselves. This week we will focus on
the last of the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet your fellow’s
house…wife…” (Exodus 20:14)
This mitzvah has provoked many questions. What is it
doing here together with commandments so fundamental to our faith in G-d and
to the fabric of our society? The inclusion of such an apparently mundane
moral lapse seems incongruent, if not disrespectful. Indeed, avarice seems to
be, in varying degrees, an inseparable element of human nature. How can
G-d command the eradication of a vice that seems indigenous to the human
heart?
Envy of the portion of others is indeed a rot that
threatens to undermine one’s relationship with G-d and the commandments that
hold our society together. One who is possessed by an overwhelming desire for
that which belongs to another, will find himself drawn down a treacherous
path to achieve his objective. He may find himself stealing, murdering, committing
adultery, disrespecting his parents, desecrating the Sabbath, swearing
falsely, using G-d’s name in vain in his denial, worshipping idols and
ultimately denying G-d’s existence in order to satisfy his desire.
The Jew, as a member of a “kingdom of priests and a holy
nation” is bidden to overpower base human nature. How does one overcome such
a natural response? Rabbi Abraham Ibn Ezra (12th century, Spain)
explains this in the form of a parable. A lowly peasant would never dream of
marrying the princess of the realm, whose stature places her beyond his
aspirations. We too are to view the possessions of others as being
apportioned to them by G-d. They are thus beyond our reach. It is truly a
demonstration of faith in G-d to recognize that despite our efforts and
talents, our portion ultimately is assigned by G-d.
One who recognizes that what belongs to others is beyond
his reach, and that which he possesses after honest effort is given by G-d as
part of his personalized challenge, will live a life of profound serenity and
joy. Our Sages of blessed memory remind us in Ethics of the Fathers, “Who is
wealthy? The one who rejoices in his lot.”
Haftara
(Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-6) The Prophet Isaiah
describes the awesome vision he saw at the time of his selection to carry
G-d’s message of repentance to the errant Children of Israel.
The theme that connects the Haftara with our Torah
portion is the encounter with the Divine experienced by the prophet
Isaiah and that experienced by the Jewish People, who all attained prophecy,
at Mount Sinai.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Baruch Price
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