Machshava:

Chinuch,  Shavuot 

Collections: R' Goldin Parenting from the Parsha

Description

Many of us are familiar with the well-known Midrash that relays how God offered the Torah to the other nations of the world. Each nation inquired as to the content of the Torah, and, in each case, Hashem responded by outlining a prohibition from the Torah that would be particularly challenging for that nation to keep. As a result, each nation rejected the offer outright. Ultimately, only Bnei Yisrael agreed to accept the Torah wholeheartedly, without condition. Rav Pincus raises an obvious question concerning this entire episode. Hashem seems to act unfairly towards the other nations. Why doesn’t G-d begin his description of the Torah with its more inspiring content; garner excitement for the Torah from these nations; and only later mention the prohibition that will be difficult for them to keep? It seems as if G-d does not want the nations of the world to the accept the Torah, and He therefore makes sure to highlight the areas that they will find challenging?