Timeless Torah

Amidst the thunder, lightning, and a smoking mountain a Voice pronounced the supremacy of conscience over convenience, of duty over dereliction and of virtue over vice. No other religious communication has exercised a greater influence on the moral and social development of man than those Ten Commandments uttered at Sinai. So unforgettable, so overwhelming was its message, that the few miscellaneous laws which follow the Decalogue were overshadowed. Among those mitzvohs is one that reads, “V’eem (otu) Mizbach Avonim Ta’aseh Li…” Literally translated, the English version would be, “And if you make an altar of stone….” The famous, medieval French commentary Rashi, however, with the Mechilta as his authority, preferred to render the verse, “When you make..” This non-rigid interpretation is also applied in two other Biblical passages. The first of these occurs just a mere two chapters later when it says, “Eem (ot) Kesef Talveh… - When you lend money…” while the latter can be found in the Book of Leviticus, “V’eem (otu) Takriv Minchas Bikkurim… - And when you bring an offering of the first grain…” The Hebrew word “Eem - ot” in these three precepts are an anomaly. Instead of the literalist approach which would have defined these ordinances - the building of an altar, the bestowal of kindness and the offering of the first fruits - as voluntary, they now assumed a binding nature. Herein we find the message of the three obligations. Implied in the construction of an altar to G-d is the importance of self-sacrifice rather than self-indulgence. Likewise, to help one’s fellow, to lend a hand, to concern yourself with the needs of others is a Divine imperative rather than a personal preference. And most importantly, the duties to G-d represented by the altar and the responsibility to our brothers and sisters spelled out by the phrase, “When you lend…,” come first. Very often I might be willing to dedicate an hour a week, either in coming to synagogue or to do volunteer work, but of course, only after I have satisfied all of my own desires. This is exactly what the Torah is trying to negate. Obligations to G-d and others must be offered as the first fruits of our time, resources and efforts. That too is mandated.

No lights, no fanfare and no big production. Just one tiny Hebrew word, easily misunderstood, easily overlooked. But see how encompassing. There are no ifs in Judaism.