Statute and Judgement

This week, because the last days of Passover coincide with Shabbos, we interrupt the regular weekly flow of Torah reading with a special reading relating to Passover. The parshah deals with the episode of the splitting of the sea, which was the climactic event that sealed the Exodus from Egypt. After the Torah describes how the Egyptian armies were swallowed up by the seawaters, and the well-known “Song at the Sea” that the Jewish nation proclaimed, the Torah continues:

“… they (Israel) traveled three days in the wilderness and found no water. They came to Mara, but they could not drink water from Mara because it was bitter; that is why it was named Mara. And the people grumbled against Moses saying 'What shall we drink?' He cried to the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree. He threw it into the water and the water became sweet. There He set for them statute and judgment and there He put them to the test. He said ‘If you listen well to the voice of the Lord your God, doing what is upright in His eyes, giving ear to His commandments and keeping all His statutes, then I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians for I, the Lord, am your healer’ ” (Exodus 15:22-26).

We are forced to ask ourselves exactly what is the significance of this story, how is it connected to the previous episode of the splitting of the sea, and why is it included in the special reading for the 7th day of Passover?

In the quoted verses, we read that the Jewish people were taught “statute and judgement” following the whole episode with the bitter waters. Our Rabbis tell us that a “statute” is a God-given commandment that has no logical understanding whatsoever, the only reason we observe such a commandment is because “God said so”. On the other hand, a “judgement” is just the opposite; it is a commandment that does seem to make logical sense. Unfortunately, people often think they should only keep commandments that can be deduced from human reasoning and understanding. “Why should I observe a commandment I don’t even understand?” is what one might ask himself. The Jews were taught “statute AND judgement” together in order to avoid such a line of reasoning. A “statute”, that seems to make no sense at all, should be kept with as much fervor as a “judgement”, which stems from a sense of clarity and understanding.

The Jews had just witnessed perhaps the greatest miracle of all time, and had attained salvation from God’s mighty hand in the most glorious and breathtaking fashion possible. Our Rabbis tell us that the event caused the lowliest maidservant to have a higher level of divine prophecy than any of the future prophets of Israel. It was a time of utmost clarity and heightened perception. In such a state, it was inevitable that the Jews would open up their arms to let God into their lives. But then something “terrible” happened: the miracles stopped! The experience had passed, and now the Jews had to begin their long and arduous journey through the desert. All of a sudden, serving God wasn’t as clear as it was before!

Our Rabbis often state that “water” is a metaphor for Torah and spirituality. Going back to our verses, at first the Jews “found no water”; they had lost any sense of spirituality in their lives. It was just days ago that the entire nation was completely surrounded by “waters of spirituality” as they passed on dry land through the walls of water at the splitting of the sea. But now it was all gone, and if they tried to recreate the feelings and emotions they had previously experienced, “it was bitter”. The Jews felt bewildered, coming from such an elevated level of connection with God and dropping to such a bitter state of emptiness.

Our Rabbis also tell us that Torah and spirituality are likened to a tree. Why is it necessary to relate Torah and spirituality to both water and trees? Water, as we know, fills up any container it is placed in; it sinks to lowest depths despite any obstacles in its way. Torah has the power to greatly influence anyone and literally “fill” someone up inside spiritually. But this type of passive inspiration is not the only facet of Torah. It also acts as a tool for growth to build one’s character and develop oneself in a positive fashion throughout life. This is the “tree” side of the Torah and spirituality. It is the more active side, where one has to actually exert himself in order to attain that level of growth. So, when the Jews “had no water”, and they had lost that passive and transient inspiration, there was nothing left; everything was bitter. But God taught them that developing a connection with God was not a one shot deal, it is something that requires much work and self discipline. In the end, it is this type of connection that tastes the sweetest. This was symbolized by throwing the tree into the water.

This relates to what we said earlier about “statute and judgement”. “Judgements” are those commandments that make so much sense, and are observed in a state of utmost clarity. This is compared to the state the Jews experienced at the sea where everyone was so sure about their connection to God, and everything was so clear and sensible. “Statutes” on the other hand have no sense to them; we do not follow them out of a sense of clarity and revelation. These commandments are much harder to follow and require much more effort to keep. The only reason we are commanded to keep these commandments is because they were divinely ordained, that’s it. By keeping these types of commandments, we are acknowledging our subservience to God, which ultimately strengthens our connection to Him and offers us spiritual growth, like the “tree”. (*see footnote*)

It is very crucial that we read this section at this time of year. Passover is ending, and the high levels of inspiration that we may have attained throughout the holiday may suddenly disappear. May we strengthen ourselves to maintain that level of inspiration in our lives in order to grow spiritually even in those times of bitterness.

Good Shabbos,

Pesach Sameach

NZL


*As highlighted in the quoted verses, only “statutes” is mentioned when God speaks at the end, saying “If you listen well…” The reason should be clear; it is these “statutes” that are more cherished in God’s eyes, for they are much harder for us to keep. This pattern also shows up in the second of the two blessings right before the Shema in the Evening daily prayers. At first we mention “statutes and judgements you have taught us”, but in the next line we say, “we will speak of your statutes”, without mentioning “judgements”. Again, the reason is because the “statutes” require more effort to observe, and may be more esteemed in God’s eyes”