This week, we celebrate Shavuot, the day we received the Torah on Mount Sinai. It was 3338 years ago, in 2448 in the Hebrew calendar. Our ancestors arrived at Sinai six days earlier and spent the time preparing spiritually for this pivotal moment.  They resolved their arguments and forged true national unity. They accepted an invitation to be G-d’s chosen people. When asked, they replied, “We will do, and we will listen.” They were primed. They were excited.

What did G-d do during those days?

Well, G-d spent part of those days with Moses, who engaged in shuttle diplomacy scurrying up and down the mountain carrying messages between G-d and the Jews. But G-d spent the rest of the day negotiating with the other nations. G-d approached each of the seventy biblical nations and offered them the Torah.

What Was He Thinking? Can you believe it? Is this not two-timing? Imagine dating a woman and courting her for marriage, but at the same time, double-timing with another woman in case the first one doesn’t work out. How long would it take for both women to kick you out once they discovered your ruse?

What was G-d thinking? Choosing the Jews on the second of Sivan and offering the Torah to the Moabites on the third of Sivan? And not just the Moabites, but the Hittites, Canaanites, Egyptians, etc. How could G-d betray us like that? And what would G-d have done if one or more of the other nations had also accepted? Would G-d marry both? Would He confer chosen nation status on multiple nations?

Moreover, what was G-d thinking? Were these nations worthy candidates of G-d’s attention? The Midrash tells us how and why each of these nations rejected G-d’s offer. The Edomites asked what was in the Torah, and G-d replied........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)