Don't you find that the more you do something, the more proficient you become at it and the better it turns out? Well, Hashem (G-d) is the same way! When He created the world, He seemed to "get better" at it as time went on. Our Sages say that each creation was closer to Hashem than the one before it. Thus, the animals were superior to vegetation, man was superior to the animals and woman, truth be told, was superior to man.
Yet, what about the Ten Commandments? They seem to be self-contained, not necessarily given in order of rank or importance, each one a world unto itself. In a deeper sense, we can make a strong case that the last of the Commandments is indeed the most challenging. For this Mitzvah tells us, ?Do not covet, do not desire that which belongs to your neighbor [or your neighbor herself, if she is of the female persuasion!].? Now, I understand how Hashem can tell us how to act, but how can G-d command us how to think?
The Ibn Ezra explains that this commandment of ?lo tachmod? requires us to recognize that each of us has a special niche in this world, one that is carved out for us, and us alone. Though we may always strive to advance and better our situation - especially in spiritual terms - ultimately, we need to discover who we are and be at peace with who we are. Then we shall not desire or covet the lot of someone else - who has his or her own unique task to carry out.
With this in mind, perhaps we can now understand an intriguing pasuk (verse) in parshat ?Ki Tisa? (chapter 34). There we are commanded to visit the Bet HaMikdash (Temple) three times a year. However, lest we fear that while we are away foreigners will come and rob our homes, G-d promises, ?No man shall covet your house when you come to visit Me.? Why does the pasuk not simply say, ?No one will rob your home?? What does coveting have to do with it?
The Torah, I think, is teaching us that if we conduct ourselves in a spiritual fashion, one that befits our holy nature - visiting Jerusalem, observing mitzvot, devoting ourselves to Hashem - then no other people will imagine that they can take our place or invade our "space." They will recognize that Israel belongs to us, and we to Israel, and they will respect our rights and our land. On the other hand, if, G-d forbid, we repress our exalted character and act like every other nation, then every nation will assume this land is fair prey and open territory. Then they will covet what we have.
Jewish pride is the mightiest weapon in our arsenal.
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Rabbi Weiss is Director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.
Yet, what about the Ten Commandments? They seem to be self-contained, not necessarily given in order of rank or importance, each one a world unto itself. In a deeper sense, we can make a strong case that the last of the Commandments is indeed the most challenging. For this Mitzvah tells us, ?Do not covet, do not desire that which belongs to your neighbor [or your neighbor herself, if she is of the female persuasion!].? Now, I understand how Hashem can tell us how to act, but how can G-d command us how to think?
The Ibn Ezra explains that this commandment of ?lo tachmod? requires us to recognize that each of us has a special niche in this world, one that is carved out for us, and us alone. Though we may always strive to advance and better our situation - especially in spiritual terms - ultimately, we need to discover who we are and be at peace with who we are. Then we shall not desire or covet the lot of someone else - who has his or her own unique task to carry out.
With this in mind, perhaps we can now understand an intriguing pasuk (verse) in parshat ?Ki Tisa? (chapter 34). There we are commanded to visit the Bet HaMikdash (Temple) three times a year. However, lest we fear that while we are away foreigners will come and rob our homes, G-d promises, ?No man shall covet your house when you come to visit Me.? Why does the pasuk not simply say, ?No one will rob your home?? What does coveting have to do with it?
The Torah, I think, is teaching us that if we conduct ourselves in a spiritual fashion, one that befits our holy nature - visiting Jerusalem, observing mitzvot, devoting ourselves to Hashem - then no other people will imagine that they can take our place or invade our "space." They will recognize that Israel belongs to us, and we to Israel, and they will respect our rights and our land. On the other hand, if, G-d forbid, we repress our exalted character and act like every other nation, then every nation will assume this land is fair prey and open territory. Then they will covet what we have.
Jewish pride is the mightiest weapon in our arsenal.
--------------------------------
Rabbi Weiss is Director of the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra?anana.