There is very little rhyme or reason for how a topic for a TftD gets chosen. Basically, I learn something, think, "Oh, cool!" and then write it up.... as soon as I have time, which has been quite limited recently. As a consequence, I have a growing backlog of "oh cool" thoughts that I am itching to publish. That being the case, I may as well choose one that goes together with the epoch in which we once again find ourselves—the Three Weeks—which began with the fast of שבעה עשר בתמוז and culminates with the commemoration of the destruction of the Temple, may it be rebuilt soon and in our lifetime, on תשעה באב.
I was discussing a question on Chumash this last week, and of course we looked at the רש''י on that verse. After realizing that I had fully understood what רש''י was saying, I commented that someday I need to actually learn רש''י and not just read it every week. The expression "I saw an interesting רש''י this week" is just a euphemism for "I finally realized a bit more of what רש''י was saying."
That being said, I saw an interesting ספורנו recently. When Klal Yisrael was offered the Torah, the response was a resounding נעשה ונשמע/we will do and we will hearken. The ספורנו comments that the plural form was chosen because no one Jew can fulfill the entire Torah. There are things that only Kohanim can do and things that only Yisraelim can do. Things that only men can do and things that only women can do. Besides the physical and spiritual requirements for each mitzvah, there is just a lot to do and a lot of different skill sets. Not everyone has the personality to be a first-grade rebbi. Not everyone has the stomach to be a shochet.
When each of the nations was asked if they wanted the Torah, they each had an excuse why they couldn't accept it. This one had a tendency to rob; this one, to murder; this one, to infidelity; and so on. But Klal Yisrael just proclaimed, נעשה ונשמע/we will do and we will hearken (emphasis based on the ספורנו). But let's take a closer look. The vast majority of non-Jews are upright and honest citizens. When it comes to Klal Yisrael, there are, unfortunately, robbers, philanderers, and murderers. So what was the excuse of the nations, and what did Klal Yisrael see differently?
I would like to suggest that the nations looked at the depth and breadth of mitzvos and concluded, quite honestly, "Even if I do everything, I am sure there will be slackers and rebels, so I can't let my future depend on everyone pulling their weight."
Klal Yisrael, however, saw the vast expanse of Torah and mitzvos and realized that the Creator had designed a Torah that was impossible to be fulfilled by any one individual, no matter how great and dedicated. It would take a team. Klal Yisrael trusted HaShem and also trusted each other. "If I can't do something; if I fail in one area, I am sure someone else will pick it up. " That, I believe, is a deeper understanding of כל ישראל ערבים זה לזה/All of Israel are responsible one for the other. It is not just that one Jew can help another Jew; rather, the system is built so that we each have to help each other.
One step more... that means that we are constantly in a position of being grateful to each other. You can do something I can't, and without you I could not fulfill the entire Torah. On a very personal note: Of course I am so grateful that I found my way to the Torah and that I was able to join Klal Yisrael, But still, in the back of my mind there was the nagging question: What did I do wrong? Why was I late for the party? Why didn't I merit to be part of Klal Yisrael from the beginning?
Maybe I wasn't late for the party, after all. There is a mitzvah of גֵרוּת (which Google translates as "immigration" 😏). Without non-Jews there would be no one to join Klal Yisrael. That means the Torah would be incomplete. I was given the merit to be that goy.
You're welcome. And thank you.
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