First Accept My Kingship Then I Decree the Commandments

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 286:11

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Another interpretation: "the house of bondage" - the house of those who worship idols. "You shall have no other gods" (Exodus 20:3): why is this said? Because it says "I am the LORD your God." A parable of a king of flesh and blood who entered a province. His servants said to him, Issue decrees upon them. He said to them, When they accept my kingship I will issue decrees upon them, for if they do not accept my kingship, how will they fulfill my decrees? So too the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Israel, "I am the LORD your God; you shall have no other gods." I am He whose kingship you accepted upon yourselves in Egypt. They said to Him, Yes, yes. He said, Just as you accepted my kingship, so accept my decrees: "You shall have no other gods." Rabbi Shimon bar Yohai says, this is what is said elsewhere, "I am the LORD your God; according to the doings of the land of Egypt" and so on (Leviticus 18:2-3). I am He whose kingship you accepted upon yourselves at Sinai; accept my decrees.

Themes

CommandmentsIdolatryTorah

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