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Va-etchanan (Shabbat Sat. 28th July/16th Av) - Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video

753 views · Published 23 July 2018 · 1:47 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: Spiritgrow · 2018 · Education

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Va-etchanan (Shabbat Sat. 28th July/16th Av) 
Laibl's Weekly Parsha Video
Transcending the Strange and Foreign

SUMMARY: The Ten Commandments strangely begin with an an ancient Egyptian word, Anochi, meaning ‘I’, referring to G-d. Why begin with a foreign word from an idolatrous society? To teach us that the Torah transcends all peoples and circumstances and has the power to elevate every aspect of life.  There is no separation of religious and secular.  All is One. And it must permeate the most seemingly secular aspects of our everyday lives -  ‘Anochi’ being the source of an integrated whole. 

Notes:
• This week we encounter the Ten Commandments a second time – the central laws that govern the ethics and morality of our Judeo-Christian society, and are also the central pillar of all civilized societies world-wide. Therefore the first word ‘Anochi’ – ‘I am’ – referring to G-d, is both substantially and symbolically significant, being the very first word.
• The strange thing is that though the Hebrews, we, the Jewish people, gave the world the Ten Commandments, the first word is in fact not pure Hebrew.  It is an ancient Egyptian word. How is it possible that the core of the Torah be prefaced with a word from a corrupt and idol-worshipping people of ancient times?
• But herein lies an important teaching. The Torah is not limited to a realm of ‘holiness’ or ‘ritual’.  It transcends every aspect of life – down to the most mundane. The message here is that the power of Torah can even transform the spiritual depravity of an idolatrous nation of ancient Egypt. 
• In like manner, the Torah is not intended as a pro forma Shabbat ritual reading for barmitzvah boys. It transcends the shul and must enter into every aspect of our daily lives – our daily relationships, business transactions, professional practices, personal philosophy and so on.
• The ‘Anochi’ tells us that the Torah is not a code for a religious life – it is a template for all life, and there is ultimately no duality of religious and secular.  All is One. As are you.

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