Shabbos Parshas Yitro

This week's Parsha is a Very Big Deal.  The essence of everything we are supposed to learn from HaShem's teachings is in this week's Parsha.  If you were to boil down the Torah, Yitro is what you would get.  Yitro is Torah buillion (for those of you who don't make soup from scratch. Ahem.)

And what do you think that essence is?  Totally obvious to anyone who's read the Parsha, right?

The Ten Commandments!

Wrong.  Well, in my humble opinion, you're wrong.

What do *I* think the very buillion of belief is?

Na'aseh V'Nishma - We will DO and we will listen.

That little phrase is the cornerstone of my faith.  It defines the motivation for why I dress, eat, speak, worship and live the way I do.  There are days that it is my sustenance.  Declaring "Na'aseh V'Nishma," is telling HaShem, "In everything I will put You first.  I will serve Your will without question.  I have greater faith in You than I do myself."

Now isn't *that* a doozy of a concept in today's day and age?  Look at your life and ask yourself, "Who is the ultimate authority? Who's glory am I living for?"  Is your answer "Me!  Mine!"?  Are there Commandments you don't follow because they aren't logical?  Things you don't do because they "just don't make sense," to you?  We're living in a "We will listen and then we will (maybe) do," time.  In everything, we consider our options, see what fits and choose our path accordingly.  There are some situations for which that is absolutely the right course of action.

There are some situations for which it is not.  In this Parsha, HaShem gives us Ten Commandments.  Before that, we accept them, sight unseen.  In two (Hebrew) words (six in English), we tell Him that whatever he tells us to do, we'll do it.  Every Jewish soul was at Sinai.  Every Jewish soul told HaShem, "I will do, and I will listen."  Even yours.

To me, believing, truly believing that G-d's is the ultimate wisdom is the greatest comfort in my life.  It is a sweet, relieving freedom to know that He is in control and has a plan.

Make this Shabbos Shiny

Do.  Then listen.  Humble yourself before G-d this week and recognize the gift He has given you in Torah.  Concentrate on recognizing His authority and wisdom.

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