Before the giving of the Torah, G-d commands Moses to exalt and strengthen the spirit of the nation, saying, "This is what you must say to the House of Jacob and tell the People of Israel" (Exodus 19:3). Rashi comments, "In these words and in this order."
What order is Rashi referring to? Past, present and future.
Past: "You saw what I did to Egypt, carrying you on eagles' wings and bringing you to Me." (verse 4) In other words, you saw with your own eyes My great love for Israel in taking them out of Egypt and in bringing you to My service (Onkelos).
Present: "Now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be My special treasure among all nations, even though all the world is Mine." (verse 5)
Future: "You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to Me." (verse 6)
Only a global perspective, encompassing past, present and future, together, can give us the wherewithal to transcend the tribulations of the present, sometimes so difficult and complex, and to undertake G-d's Torah, following its pathways in love and faith, in anticipation of complete salvation.
Moses was commanded by G-d, before the Sinai Revelation, to utter those words to the House of Jacob and the People of Israel. G-d's purpose was to strengthen and to exalt the spirit of the nation. Those words have enormous relevance and importance in every generation, and in our own generation, as well, the generation of the rebirth. As we all know, this generation possesses much light and goodness, but also not a little shadow, difficulties and complications, as do these times themselves.
We must ponder the present complex reality by means of a perspective that includes and encompasses our past and our future, our identity and our destiny. We must learn and understand and recognize, and we must truly believe, that G-d "chose us from amongst all the nations and gave us His Torah," (the Torah blessings) and that He "lovingly prefers us still" (the blessings of the Shema prayer).
G-d took us out of Egypt and He gave us the Torah when we were on our way to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, speedily in our day, shall be fulfilled the vision of the Prophet Isaiah: "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3)
Indeed, in these times, there are clouds that darken our lives, in the form of the Disengagement Plan and the "Road Map", whose purpose is to establish an Arab state in the very heart of Eretz Yisrael -- it will never be! Yet, with G-d's help, these clouds will pass. The specialness of the Jewish People will then be more and more revealed, and all will see that we are truly a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Through us will be fulfilled, "Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, 'The L-rd reigns.'" (I Chronicles 16:31)
What order is Rashi referring to? Past, present and future.
Past: "You saw what I did to Egypt, carrying you on eagles' wings and bringing you to Me." (verse 4) In other words, you saw with your own eyes My great love for Israel in taking them out of Egypt and in bringing you to My service (Onkelos).
Present: "Now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be My special treasure among all nations, even though all the world is Mine." (verse 5)
Future: "You will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation to Me." (verse 6)
Only a global perspective, encompassing past, present and future, together, can give us the wherewithal to transcend the tribulations of the present, sometimes so difficult and complex, and to undertake G-d's Torah, following its pathways in love and faith, in anticipation of complete salvation.
Moses was commanded by G-d, before the Sinai Revelation, to utter those words to the House of Jacob and the People of Israel. G-d's purpose was to strengthen and to exalt the spirit of the nation. Those words have enormous relevance and importance in every generation, and in our own generation, as well, the generation of the rebirth. As we all know, this generation possesses much light and goodness, but also not a little shadow, difficulties and complications, as do these times themselves.
We must ponder the present complex reality by means of a perspective that includes and encompasses our past and our future, our identity and our destiny. We must learn and understand and recognize, and we must truly believe, that G-d "chose us from amongst all the nations and gave us His Torah," (the Torah blessings) and that He "lovingly prefers us still" (the blessings of the Shema prayer).
G-d took us out of Egypt and He gave us the Torah when we were on our way to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, speedily in our day, shall be fulfilled the vision of the Prophet Isaiah: "For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of G-d from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3)
Indeed, in these times, there are clouds that darken our lives, in the form of the Disengagement Plan and the "Road Map", whose purpose is to establish an Arab state in the very heart of Eretz Yisrael -- it will never be! Yet, with G-d's help, these clouds will pass. The specialness of the Jewish People will then be more and more revealed, and all will see that we are truly a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Through us will be fulfilled, "Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice. Let them say among the nations, 'The L-rd reigns.'" (I Chronicles 16:31)