The Talmud records two versions as to the manner in which Moses introduced the Torah to the people. According to Rabbi Yehuda, Moses first announced the penalties for transgressing the Torah. Afterwards Moses described the rewards for keeping the mitzvot.

Rabbi Yossi, however, stated that the order was just the opposite. First Moses described the rewards for keeping the Torah, and only afterwards he related the penalties for violating it. (Shabbat 87a)

Rav Kook wrote that these two versions reflect two divergent educational approaches.

Freeing the Soul to Grow

Rabbi Yehuda opined that in order to truly enlighten, it is necessary to first wage war against the blind materialistic forces of evil in the body. Only then will the soul be free to elevate itself in complete purity, and attain its sublime goals. Initially, the powers of darkness must be neutralized and uprooted, separating the bad and ugly from our true desires and inner essence. We must perceive in evil its despicable and destructive nature.

Then, when the holy light of the Torah comes to illuminate, there is nothing to dim its clarity. The spiritual enlightenment is pure and clear. For this reason, Moses began by announcing the penalties for transgressing the Torah. This served to weaken the grip of evil and uproot it. With the foundations of evil uprooted from the soul, Moses went on to describe the rewards for keeping the Torah, so that the soul's yearning for good and truth would be whole-hearted and pure.

Refining All Forces of the Soul

There exists another educational approach, one that seeks to take advantage of the forces of evil and use them for holy purposes. We do not try initially to uproot the bad. Rather, we flood the soul with pure holy light. If there exist some negative dregs among the soul's forces, they do not hinder the light. On the contrary, the Divine light shines more brightly, as it sublimates those energies which gravitate towards evil to serve holy matters.

When all the evil powers have been refined and utilized for the highest good, we then uproot any remaining dregs which could not be purified and streamlined into elevated life.

According to this approach, Moses began by describing to the Jewish people the rewards for keeping the Torah, thereby vitalizing the positive light in their souls. As the holy sparks were elevated to the ultimate good and Divine light, all life-forces were drawn towards Divine service. The negative powers were also refined, and strengthened the spiritual forces in the soul. Only the most contaminated, materialistic lees remained untouched. In order to eliminate this darkest aspect, Moses related the punishments for abandoning the Torah. Then their soul's capacity for good was complete, in full strength and purity.

(adapted from Ein Eyah vol. IV, pp. 181-2)

Copyright © 2006 by Chanan Morrison