Question: Every day in birchas haTorah we recite: אשר בחר בנו מכל העמים ונתן לנו את תורתו – “Who chose us from all other nations, and gave us the Torah”. The question is, the Gemara in Avodah Zorah (2b) says: Hashem went to all the nations of the world and offered them the Torah and they refused. Finally, He came to Klal Yisroel and we agreed. We see that Hashem didn’t specifically choose Klal Yisroel, it’s just we were the only nation to agree. On the contrary, we chose Hashem?
Answers:
i) The Chut HaMeshulash (Bereishis pg. 1) answers: When it came to the nations of the world, as soon as they showed lack of interest Hashem left them, however when it came to Klal Yisroel Hashem forced us to accept it. This shows that he loved us and chose us, more than other nations.
ii) The Panim Yofois (Ha’azinu) on the pasuk, יצב גבולות עמים למספר בני ישראל, explains: What Hashem offered the other nations was just the Aseres HaDibros, like we find that He told the Yishmoelim, לא תרצח, לא תנאף, however, when it came to the 613 mitzvos He only offered them to Klal Yisroel. This served as a border between Klal Yisroel and other nations.
According to this, we can explain, although Hashem offered the Aseres HaDibros to other nations besides for Klal Yisroel, when it came to the 613 mitzvos this was reserved for Klal Yisroel. Therefore, Hashem chose Klal Yisroel and Klal Yisroel was the only nation offered 613 mitzvos. (See Shu”t Teshuvos V’Hanagos 1:17 for a similar idea).
Wishing You An Uplifting Kabbalas HaTorah and Enjoyable Yom Tov!!!
This booklet was compiled with siyata dishmayah by Rabbi Moshe Harris. For any comments, feedback or to subscribe to receive the weekly Limuday Moshe Booklet, containing Halachah, Divrei Torah and Riddles on the weekly Parsha, email: [email protected] or call 0583249052.
