It wasn't just about God wanting to give the Torah, you see. According to the legends, it was about who was receiving it.
Think about it: right after the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites weren't exactly in tip-top shape. Ginzberg's Legends of the Jews tells us that many were lame, deaf, or otherwise afflicted. And God, in a way that only God can, said, "Hold on a minute." The Torah, the perfect teaching, couldn't be given to an imperfect people. Not yet, anyway.
Now, you might be thinking, why not wait for the next generation? But God, in His infinite eagerness to share the Torah, didn't want to delay that joy any longer. So, what did He do? He performed a miracle!
According to this beautiful midrash, God healed all the sick among the Israelites. The blind regained their sight, the lame walked again. The Torah was to be given to a people whole in body and, as we'll see, in spirit. It’s a powerful image, isn’t it? God preparing the people to receive His greatest gift.
The text goes on to say that this wasn't just any ordinary healing. It was a glimpse into the future, a preview of the messianic age when, as the prophet Isaiah says (35:5-6), "the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped; then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing." This moment at Sinai wasn't just historical; it was a promise of ultimate redemption.
But it wasn't just about physical perfection. The Israelites were also spiritually elevated. They were on a "high plane," as the text says. It was the combination of their physical and spiritual merits that made them worthy of receiving the Torah.
In fact, the text emphasizes just how unique this generation was. "Never before or after lived a generation as worthy as this of receiving the Torah." It suggests that if even one person had been missing or unworthy, the whole thing wouldn't have happened. It’s a staggering thought! As Proverbs 2:7 says, "He layeth up wisdom for the righteous; He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." Wisdom, in this case the Torah, is reserved for those who are ready.
So, the next time you celebrate Shavuot, remember it's not just about commemorating the giving of the Torah. It's about celebrating the incredible transformation of a people, a moment when they were made whole, body and soul, and deemed worthy to receive God's ultimate gift. It makes you wonder, doesn't it, what we can do to make ourselves worthy of receiving that gift, every single day.