Ex/introverted Judaism

Judaism is all-encompassing. Judaism demands that we have both a public and private involvement with Torah and Mitzvos. BECHUKOSAI BECHUKOSAI

Synonyms for Mitzvos

Mitzvos, or the commandments of Judaism, are multifaceted and multi-layered. We can gain some insight into the wealth of the Torah and its commandments by simply surveying the many words the Torah employs for G-d’s commandments. Most frequently they are referred to as Mitzvos, which simply means commandments. However, they are also referred to as Mishpatim, Toros, Eidos, Pikudim and other words.

King David in his 119th Psalm (the longest Biblical chapter with 176 verses) employs no less than ten expressions for these Divine precepts. And while they are all titles for the commandments, each of these names reflects a different aspect and nuance of the commandments.

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Etched in Stone

This week’s Torah portion highlights one of these ten expressions. The very title of the second of two Parshiyos that we read this week is Bechukosai, referring to the precepts designated as Chukim. When translated literally this word means: engraved.

Most likely, the origin of this description derives from the fact that the first commandments that were given to the Jewish people were literally etched in stone.

What, we may ask, are we supposed to derive from this way of describing the commandments? Does it really make a difference if the commandments are etched in stone or written on paper?

Mountain and Engraved: Extroverted and Introverted

To better appreciate the significance of the concept of the engraved aspect of the Mitzvos, let us juxtapose this title Bechokosai with the title of the first Parsha that we read this week: Behar-On the mountain. What lesson are we BECHUKOSAI to glean from the dual theme of this week’s Torah reading: “mountain” and “engraved.”

There are two approaches that we find with regard to observance of the commandments. When some people observe the commandments, it becomes a public spectacle. Everyone can see and hear that they are observing a Mitzvah. They wear Judaism on their sleeve. Whenever they do a Mitzvah, it is as if they are standing on top of a mountain, proclaiming to the world that they are G-d’s chosen ones to change the world and make it a hospitable place for G-d.

This “in your face” extroverted form of Judaism has its place, provided that it is Mount Sinai, which our Sages say was the lowest mountain in that region. We may be proud of our Judaism, but it cannot be a means for us to look down condescendingly at others, rather it constitutes a way to express our joy and excitement at being privileged to possess such a treasure and to let others see it so they can acquire this treasure as well. The “mountain” theme of Judaism is intended to make Judaism more accessible; not more distant.

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And while this approach can be positive, the title of the second Torah reading, suggests that one must balance the “mountain” extroverted approach to Judaism, with the “etched and engraved” introverted, inner direction of the commandments.

Torah must penetrate into the subterranean layers of our personality. Judaism must be internalized and assimilated into our very beings. This process can extend to the point where we can no longer separate between the precept and the person, in the same manner that the words etched in stone are inseparable from the stone itself into which they are engraved.

Preparation for Shavuos and Moshiach

These two Torah portions are always read before the Holiday of Shavuos, the anniversary of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. To be fully receptive to these Divine teachings we must try to inculcate the paradoxical approach of externalizing and internalizing our Judaism.

Our Sages have stated that the process of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai is a BECHUKOSAI paradigm for the revelation of G-dly awareness that will accompany the Messianic Age. It follows then that the way we ought to prepare ourselves for this era is to live Judaism to the fullest by incorporating both the “Behar-mountain” approach as well as the “Bechkosai-engraved” approach to the study of Torah and the observance of the commandments.

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From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Behar-Bechukosai by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.