Why Didn’t G-d Hire a Producer?

As action is the objective of study, beginning this week, there will be a short “To do” connected to the message. Don’t let yourself get stuck in one place; you can always do more!

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor thy father and thy mother,” she asked “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

***

Ask any movie producer and he’ll tell you that one of the toughest aspects of production is the preparation of the set. Countless hours are spent planning every detail, building facades, choosing props, finding a suitable location.

A presidential candidate puts much thought into the venues at which he will appear to announce his candidacy or campaign. What message will he send by his choice to speak in that particular place? Where will he, or must he, garner the most support?

With that in mind, is it not surprising that G-d chose to present Himself to the Jewish nation and give the Ten Commandments in the DESERT of all places?

G-d certainly knew of the travel magazines’ 100 best locations to vacation, of the beautiful beaches and majestic mountains high up in the Alps. Why, then, was it a hot desert in middle of the summer? Surely this most dramatic moment in history warranted a more impressive backdrop!

Yet the explanation lies within the question itself. For the same reason that we would never pick Sinai –its simplicity, dullness and emptiness – G-d specifically chose it.

A desert is a no-show for human life, cattle and produce, a desolate area where almost nothing can live. It is a vast expanse of barren land, rendering it a least desirable topographic area. And all the way down there, G-d gave us the Torah. This was to teach us that our job as Jews is to transform a world which is a spiritual desert, lacking morals, ethics and humility, into a world of Torah and peace.

Torah was not given to the angels, but to you and me. At times we may find ourselves in a moral Sinai. Life can seem empty and dull, uninspiring and depressing. There, specifically there, the Torah must help us rise and climb back up. And as we climb, we bring the desert with us, for the useless stretch of dry land has now served a purpose – it has become a springboard for our growth.

Feeling down? Just open your eyes: G-d is talking to you right now.

Do something about it:

On May 23^rd we will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot, commemorating and reliving the Giving of the Torah. It is of utmost importance that all participate in the morning services and hear the Ten Commandments, especially the children. Be there! Relive the moment!