Shabuot 5778

Shabuot 5778

The Torah makes an unusual observation about Am Yisrael upon Hashem's giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai: "And all the people saw the thunder and the flames, the sound of the shofar and the smoking mountain" (Exodus 20:15). Rabbi Akiva explains that they saw what was audible and heard what was visual. [from Mechilta d'Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai].

How can we understand the significance of this variance from what is natural and normal? 

Seeing and hearing are two separate ways in which we observe the world. We could witness something ourselves or hear about it from someone else. There is a fundamental difference between the two. Seeing is believing. Once a person sees something with his own eyes, he doesn't need further proof to validate what he saw. On the other hand, hearing does not have the same power, and there is still room to debate what was heard. For example, according to the Jewish laws of testimony a witness must see for himself the act. It would not be a sufficient testimony if he merely heard about it.

Still, seeing by itself has its shortcomings. Sight can grasp tangible entities, but one cannot perceive the spiritual through sight alone. However, hearing is not limited to the observation of the physical. One can hear about and listen to mystical concepts, ultimately with understanding.

In our world, reality is something that can be seen. It is clear and observable. However, in the realm of the spiritual, it is that which is heard which leaves its impact. Holiness must be explained and recognized. It requires thought and contemplation, and yet its believability comes down to faith.

This is the novelty of what took place during the revelation at Mount Sinai. They "saw the audible and heard the visual." The spiritual truth of the world was seen; it became the reality. The reverse also happened; the real world, which we are so accustomed to, was merely heard.  At that moment in time, its veracity was not of the essence.

When Hashem's revelation ended, the world returned to its natural order. Physicality came back to being seen and spirituality to being heard.  

We look to the days of the Mashiah when we will return to the universe envisioned during Matan Torah. There will be such a clear revelation of the Divine truth that there will be no need for proofs about the existence of the Creator. As it says in Yeshayahu, "for eye to eye they shall see when Hashem returns to Zion" (Yeshayahu 52:8).

Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameah,
Rabbi Mimoun Miller