(Exodus 21:1 - 24:18)
Rabbi Yirmiyahu Benyowitz
In this week's portion, the Torah continues the Giving of the Torah with a comprehensive treatise on many laws, especially those involving between a man and his friend.
From the Jewish perspective, the institution of marriage is considered a holy union. Indeed, the act of betrothal is known as Kiddushin - a word whose root comes from Kedushah, holiness. It is through this union that that man and the women becomes a whole and are able to reach spiritual heights. One of the obvious reasons would appear to be that it ensures the continuity of the Jewish nation. There are many Mitzvot that can be accomplished in the marital setting (aside from giving the grandparents nachas by producing grandchildren).
Hashem's connection to the Jewish people is likened to a marriage. Tashbetz (Rabbeinu Shimshon Bar Tzadok a Talmid of Maharam of Rottenberg) writes that many of the customs that surround the marriage ceremony are micro enactments of the giving of the Torah. The Ketubah represents the Tablets upon which the Ten Commandments were written. Hashem's name is mentioned fourteen times in the Sheva Berachot, just as His name is mentioned fourteen times in the Ten Commandments. The Midrash tells us that Hashem lifted mount Sinai above the Jew's heads letting them know that if they did not accept the Torah they would be buried there this too has its counterpart in the wedding Chupah.
There are also the more mundane aspects of marriage. Earning a living, keeping a house clean and in good repair, cooking supper the list goes on and on. How does this fit in with the concept of Kedushah, holiness?
A similar question may be asked of a commentary on this week's parsha. Rashi tells us in the beginning of the parsha (21:1) that the juxtaposition of the portion about the Mizbayach (altar), from last week's parsha, to the portion about monetary laws, in this week's, teaches us that the Sanhedrin, (the highest Jewish court) which was comprised of seventy sages, is to be situated in the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple). The laws mentioned in our parsha include when one mans ox falls into another man's pit and in damaged. What is a court of law, that decides even cases having to do with such seemingly mundane issues, doing located in the holiness site on Earth?
Rabbi Nissan Wolpin in his book Limudai Nissan points out that this arrangement teaches us that all of Hashem's laws are Holy. Even the most mundane of laws are all part of Hashem's Torah. All aspects of marriage are holy. Even taking out the garbage on your way out the door or cleaning the bathroom.
Our Bracha to our Chotton and Kallah is that they see the Kedusha wherever they turn.
Copyright 2001 Rabbi Yirmiyahu Benyowitz and MyJewishWedding.com
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