In Shemot Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic interpretations on the Book of Exodus, we find a fascinating exchange. God tells Moses, "And you, draw near to you." Now, Moses isn't exactly thrilled by this. Why? The text doesn't explicitly say, but perhaps he felt unworthy, or burdened by the immense responsibility.
But God responds with something truly remarkable. "I had a Torah, and I gave it to you. Were it not for it, I would have eliminated My world." Hold on a second. The Torah, the very instruction manual for life, the covenant between God and Israel, is what's holding everything together? According to this midrash, yes! It’s a breathtaking claim.
The Rabbis then use an analogy to help us understand this complex idea. Imagine a wise man whose wife can't conceive. He needs to take another wife to fulfill the commandment to have children (as discussed in Yevamot 64a). But instead of just doing it, he asks his wife for her blessing, showing her respect and consideration. He says, "I could take without your permission, but I am requesting your forbearance."
Similarly, God says to Moses, "I could have selected your brother Aaron as High Priest without your knowledge, but I sought that you should be his superior." It's a powerful message about choice, respect, and the delicate balance of power. God, in a way, is showing deference to Moses.
This idea of choosing, of selection, runs deep. "From among the children of Israel," the midrash continues, "from all the lands, the Holy One blessed be He chose the Land of Israel. From the Land of Israel, He chose the Temple. From the Temple, He chose only the chamber of the Holy of Holies." It's a narrowing down, a focusing of sanctity and purpose.
And it doesn't stop there. God chose Israel. From Israel, He chose the tribe of Levi. And from the tribe of Levi, He chose Aaron, as it is stated in I Samuel 2:28: "And choose him from all the tribes of Israel." The text highlights the specialness of these choices.
We also get a glimpse into the hierarchy of sacred offerings: Teruma, the heave offering given to the priests, and the tithe (Ma'aser) given to the Levites. Teruma, according to Matnot Kehuna, holds a higher degree of sanctity. Likewise, of Aaron's sons, Elazar and Itamar were chosen over Nadav and Avihu.
All of this leads to the verse from Psalms 65:5: "Happy is the one You choose to bring near You to dwell in Your courtyards." The act of being chosen, of being brought close to the Divine, is a source of profound joy and blessing.
So, what does it all mean? This passage from Shemot Rabbah is more than just a historical account. It's a reminder that the world, in a very real sense, is sustained by the Torah and our commitment to it. It emphasizes the importance of choice, respect, and the idea that even God seeks our participation in shaping the world. It suggests that our relationship with Torah, and with God, is what keeps the universe from unraveling. It's a partnership, a sacred dance, and we each have a role to play.