Mishpatim

Parashat Mishpatim 5784

Na'aseh v'Nishma
Towards the end of the parasha, the Torah recounts a second time the event of matan Torah. The Malbim explains that the events in these pesukim occurred after matan Torah. At this juncture (i.e. after matan Torah) Moshe Rabbeinu related to klal Yisrael the commandments that appear at the end of Parashat Yitro as well as the numerous dinim that appear in the first section of Parashat Mishpatim, and over here klal yisrael responded "na'aseh v'nishma - we will perform, and we will listen". 
One interesting detail that appears both in in these pesukim, and in the pesukim in Parashat Yitro prior to matan Torah, is that bnei yisrael, when charged with receiving the Torah, initially responded "All that Hashem commanded, na'aseh – we will perform".  Only later, after hearing the reading of the sefer Torah do we find that bnei yisrael replied "na'aseh v'nishma – we will perform, and we will listen". 

The Exalted Level of Malachim
To understand the importance of these statements, we need to understand the significance and implication of na'aseh v'nishma: 
The Gemara in Shabbat (88a) relates that when bnei yisrael preceded na'aseh to nishma, a bat kol (heavenly proclamation) announced "Who revealed to my sons the secret that the malachim use?". The passuk says in Tehillim that the malachim are described as "giborei ko'ach" i.e., mighty and strong angels, who first obey and do as they are commanded, and only subsequently listen (i.e. comprehend) that which they have been told.  So too, when klal yisrael at matan Torah proclaimed "na'aseh v'nishma" – "we will perform, and we will listen", they were imitating the obedience and willingness of the malachim, and were prepared to first obey, and only later to understand that which they had been told to do. 

The Significance of Na'aseh before Nishma
Generally speaking, it is counterintuitive to undertake to perform a task before understanding the details of the task, and the reason that the task needs to be performed. In most cases, a person who understands why he is doing what he is doing will be able to carry out that which is demanded of him in a better manner and will be more motivated to continue with a given task even when challenges arise, because he understands the benefits of carrying out the task. One who does not understand why he is charged with a certain task will be less motivated and will often give up at the first hurdle. 

A Hasty Nation
The Gemara in Shabbat relates that one of the zedukim observed Ravva while he was learning, and because Ravva was so engrossed in his learning, he was unaware that he was sitting on his hand, and it was bleeding. Said the zeduki to Ravva "You hasty nation! You should have first listened, and then decided if you would be able to accept the Torah". Ravva answered the zeduki and replied that we, bnei yisrael, have always relied on Hashem with complete faith. Rashi explains that we trust that Hashem will not demand of us anything that is too difficult for us to do. Ravva was telling the zeduki that saying na'aseh before nishma was not a hasty decision, rather it was out of complete reliance and faith in Hashem. 

Who is the Boss?
When a person is presented with a contract to sign, the reputation of the individual to whom the contact belongs will influence the thoroughness of the reading of the contract before signing. If the individual presenting the contract is of dubious character, one will make sure that every clause in the contract is worded correctly, to prevent problems in the future. But if the person presenting the contract is an honest and reliable individual with a sterling reputation, one will only give a cursory glance at the contract before signing. 
Klal yisrael, when presented with the Torah at Har Sinai, did not ask about the details of the Torah as the other nations did. Instead, they "signed the contract" and accepted the Torah without knowing all the details and "fine print" of the Torah – because they knew that it came from Hashem, and whatever the Torah contained was not only manageable, but for their ultimate benefit and good. This was the significance of na'aseh before nishma – of "signing the contract" without checking to see what was written in the contract. And this was the level of greatness and acceptance that was characteristic of malachim.

 As we read these parshiyots annually we are not only reminding ourselves of matan Torah, but it is also incumbent on us to reaccept the Torah again, as bnei yisrael did prior to matan Torah. Let us reaffirm our commitment to Torah and mitzvot and resolve to act with na'aseh before nishma – with complete acceptance and compliance with all that we have been commanded to do and may we all be zoche to all the brachot of the Torah.

Shabbat Shalom!