Contemporary Impact

In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, on this day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.                        Exodus 19:1 To teach us that every year one must see himself as standing at Sinai to receive the Torah, therefore the verse states “on this day”.       Mechilta

            Our Sages taught that on a daily basis (Kol-bo’s [14^th century] rewording of Mechilta’s elucidation of the verse; also see Rashi on Deuteronomy 26:16) one must see himself as having received Torah that day.

            Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed notes that our Sages made similar comments in two other connections:

In every generation, one must see himself as having gone out of Egypt, as the verse [Exodus 13:8] “On that day, you must tell your child, 'It is because of this that God acted for me when I left Egypt.'”                                                                                                                Mishna, Pesaḥim 10:5 The Land shall not be in your eyes as an inheritance from the Fathers, rather as if it were given to you now as a present (from God).                                                  Mechilta d’Rebbi Shimon bar Yoḥai 13:11

            Our Sages teach that we must be able to experience three things on a personal and contemporary level: Israel’s nationhood (which, in a sense began with the exodus from Egypt); receiving Torah and receiving the Land. In essence, our Sages teach that in each of these areas, there is a constant renewal, which should be felt by every Jew.

            Our Sages’ choice of these three areas is of great significance. The exodus conveys the message that God takes a hands-on approach in guiding the fate of His people. A direct and personal interaction between God and the chosen people is a defining characteristic of Israel’s nationhood.

            Torah is Israel’s national constitution, which ideally guides us in every aspect of our lives, as individuals and as part of the nation.

            The Land too is a crucial aspect of Israel’s nationhood, since it is clearly God’s will that His nation dwell within His Land.

            Thus, one must constantly be personally aware of each of these vital aspects of Israel’s nationality, understanding the contemporary impact of each on himself/herself and on the nation as a whole.