(2011/5771)
Immediately preceding the retelling of Ma’amad Har Sinai, the Torah states (Devarim 5:4), “Panim BeFanim Dibeir Hashem Imachem BaHar Mitoch HaEish” “Face to face, Hashem spoke with you on the mountain from amid the fire.” Seforno comments on the phrase “Panim BePanim” that Bnei Yisrael were fully alert when they received the Aseret HaDibrot from Hashem. In opposition to this understanding, there is a well known Midrash that states that Bnei Yisrael initially overslept when they were about to receive the Torah. This Midrash is actually the source for the common practice of staying up and learning all night on Shavuot; as a Tikun for Bnei Yisrael’s sleeping did, we stay up and do not sleep. However, many people raise an obvious question on this Midrash: How is it that Bnei Yisrael fell asleep when they were about to receive the Torah?
Rav Shimon Schwab answers this question with a very interesting answer. He writes that Bnei Yisrael fell asleep because they thought that the only way they could hear the Nevu’ah of the Aseret HaDibrot from Hashem would be through a dream. Therefore, their falling asleep was completely intentional and seemingly innocent. So, if it was an innocent mistake, why then do we still maintain the custom of staying up all night?
Rav Schwab continues by saying that even though their falling asleep wasn’t absolutely terrible, it still was inappropriate. The sin was that Bnei Yisrael underestimated themselves. They thought that they could only get Nevu’ah from Hashem while sleeping, when they really could receive the Nevu’ah face to face.
There is a famous story of the Netziv from his youth. Little Naftali (the Netziv himself) was walking down the stairs when he heard his parents talking about the fact that their son wasn’t doing well in school, and that maybe they should take him out of Yeshiva and have him work as a farmer the fields. The Netziv ran downstairs and begged them to let him stay in school. It was after this event, that the Netziv utilized his ability and became the great Tzadik and Gaon that he was. This story shows the tremendous change that can occur if someone just tries to utilize his potential.
Rav Mordechai Gifter zt”l asks, why we are so careful to never directly count Jews? He writes that numbers, by their very definition, are finite. By counting Jews directly, one quantifies them such that the quantity is no more and no less than the number stated. However, each of us is by very definition, infinite. We each have a soul, individual strengths, and characteristics, with an unlimited potential to grow and expand our capabilities. Trying to put a number on an individual limits him and restricts his ability to reach untold heights. Therefore, when we speak of a "Minyan" [quorum] of Jews, we are not speaking of a "Mispar" [a number]. We cannot just "count" Jews. When we enumerate people and treat them as numbers, we effectively say that they are defined and limited. This is certainly not the way that Hashem wants us to view ourselves. At Har Sinai, Bnei Yisrael limited themselves, and did not realize the infinite potential that they had.
The entire reason why Hashem took us out of Mitzrayim, despite the fact that we were on the 49th level of Tum’ah, was because He saw the spark of great potential that was within us. This potential that we have must be directed towards our Avodat Hashem, and to its full extent, not just half-heartedly. It is solely for this purpose that Hashem redeemed us from Mitzrayim.
May each and every one of us make every effort to utilize our potential and serve Hashem the very best we can.