The Ten Precious Things and Why God Charges Moses Only About Israel

"Speak to the children of Israel." With every single commandment He mentions the children of Israel, for they are precious before Him who spoke and the world came into being, as it is said, "Is Ephraim a precious son to Me? Is he a delightful child?" (Jeremiah 31:19). Ten are called precious. One, the Torah, as it is said, "She is more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 3:15). Two, prophecy, as it is said, "And the word of the LORD [was] precious in those days" (1 Samuel 3:1). Three, understanding, as it is said, "A man of understanding is of a precious spirit" (Proverbs 17:27). Four, knowledge, as it is said, "And the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel" (Proverbs 20:15). Five, folly, as it is said, "A little folly is more precious than wisdom and than honor" (Ecclesiastes 10:1). Six, wealth, as it is said, "But the precious substance of a man is the diligent" (Proverbs 12:27). Seven, Israel, as it is said, "Is he a precious son" etc. (Jeremiah 31:19). Eight, lovingkindness, as it is said, "How precious is Your lovingkindness" (Psalm 36:8). Nine, the death of the righteous, as it is said, "Precious in the eyes of the LORD" etc. (Psalm 116:15). [Ten, the righteous, as it is said, "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God" (Psalm 139:17).] And of Israel it is said "precious," as it is said, "The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honor" (Esther 8:16). Moses said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the world, of all the nations You charge me only concerning Israel alone. He said to him: Because they have made Me King over them, as it is said, "The LORD shall reign forever and ever" (Exodus 15:18). A parable: to what is the matter like? To a king who would caution his servant concerning his undergarment more than all his garments. He said to him, My lord, why do you caution me concerning your undergarment more than all your garments? He said to him: Because it is close to my flesh. So the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Moses: I caution you concerning Israel more than the rest of the nations, because they are close to Me. Therefore He said, "Speak to the children of Israel." "When a man (adam) brings an offering." And for what reason did He say "man (adam)"? Rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: Whoever wishes to bring an offering before Me, let him do as Adam the first man, who did not bring an offering from robbery, for I hate robbery in a burnt-offering (Isaiah 61:8).