Inner reflections, Divrei Torah and Growth in Spirituality

Boker Tov from somewhere over the Atlantic.

One of the classical phrases in the Torah is the response of Bnei Yisrael to the covenant with God at Mount Sinai: נעשה ונשמע: we will do and then we will investigate and understand (according to one classic interpretation).

A different possible meaning occurred to me while assisting my dear granddaughter Kayla in preparing a batmitzva Dvar Torah.

There are two levels in our relationship with HaShem. On the one level we accept to do what all members of the Jewish people do. Discovering what HaShem wants of us through learning; fulfilling his mitzvot in order to better refine ourselves and joining with all our people in תקון עולם – making this world a better place. We fulfil our Jewish destiny by virtue of our belonging to the Jewish collectivity.

But there is a deeper level of connectedness to HaShem and fulfillment of the Covenant. For each and every one of us has a unique personal relationship with God and with spirituality; and thus has our own individual and singular role in bringing light spirituality and Godliness to the fore in our dark world.

When we say נשמע, we comit ourselves not only to fulfill HaShems will as one more member of the Jewish nation. We also take up the challenge of developing and refining our own spiritual self and making our personal unique contribution.

May we all merit to serve through נעשה and through נשמע.

(After developing the thought I saw that R SR Hirsch says something similar)