Staying on Track

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

The Parsha begins by telling us that the mitzvos that follow were given at Sinai. Rashi wonders what the significance of this statement is, and explains: The Torah is teaching us that the details of all mitzvos are also from Sinai (i.e. from G-d’s revelation). This, indeed, is our understanding of Torah and mitzvos. Not only are the main themes of the mitzvah given by G-d, even the details are also from Him. For example, we have mitzvos such as Teffilin and Succah. Not only are the basic mitzvos part of Torah, even the details of how they should be fashioned and what their rules are, are also from G-d.

Interestingly, according to Jewish tradition, even Rabbinic law, which was legislated by the leaders of the Jewish people, also is- on one level- included in the law that we received at Sinai from G-d. This is indicated by the way we recite the blessing of a Rabbinic mitzvah such as the lighting of the Chanukah menorah. We declare, “Blessed are You, G-d… who commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah.” We must certainly wonder, “Where did G-d command us to light the menorah?” The holiday of Chanukah is Rabbinic. It wasn’t legislated until many generations after the revelation at Sinai. Yet, even on a Rabbinic mitzvah the Jewish people recite the blessing, “G-d…commanded us…” because included in the Torah is a mitzvah to obey the legislation of the Rabbis. Thus their legislations are included in the details of mitzvos attributed to the revelation at Sinai. In fact, the Torah directs the Rabbis of each generation, “Fashion protective guards for observance.” These protective guards are also part of the great tradition called Torah.

Sometimes we wonder if Jewish law can be just a little bit more lenient. Perhaps we can get a dispensation or exemption for one law or another. This is particularly true when considering Rabbinic legislation. One might ask: Is the protective legislation really so important?

As a child, I posed this question to a Rebbe, and he replied with an analogy. He described a industrial paper cutting machine that was designed in such a way that it would not cut the paper unless two buttons, on opposite sides of the machine, would be pressed simultaneously. The idea was that the operator would not be able to engage the machine unless both of his hands were pressing the buttons, and his fingers were well out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, one person decided to outsmart the system. He felt that he was wasting too much time by pressing both buttons. So he wedged a screwdriver into one button, and only had to press one button to engage the machine. He said he would be careful about his other hand, and he was, until one day he was working very quickly, and he forgot. The accident he thought would never happen to him, happened, and he lost some fingers.

Safeguards are meant for our own protection. They are there to ensure that terrible accidents shouldn’t happen. This is why we have legislation and protective custom. Just to make sure. One may ask, “Is there room for leniency?” The answer may be that there is room for leniency. But the greater question is, “Do you really want to be lenient?”

This week a terrible train wreck occurred when a train was traveling over 100mph around a bend that was marked with a speed limit of about half the train’s speed. The result was terrible loss of life, significant injuries, and a horrifying mangled mess. Countless people’s lives, touched by the tragedy, will never be the same. What is really troubling is that the accident might have been avoided if speed safety features legislated by Congress for such trains had been implemented. Curiously, train companies are finding it hard to meet the year-end deadline for such implementation, and have requested an extension on the deadline. But, as one official commented after the derailment this week, “The question is not if we can give an extension. Congress can certainly authorize an extension. The question is: After such an accident, do you really want an extension?”

Often in Jewish life we find that certain laws- which may be only Rabbinic- are laws that we wish we could circumvent. This is particularly true regarding the laws of Kosher and Shabbos which are unique hallmarks of our people. Before seeking exemptions we would do well to remember that legislations are made for our protection, to make sure that we stay on track. Sometimes an authority may say that he has found a heter (leniency). Certainly, there are times that a heter is legitimate. But before we discuss the legitimacy of a heter, the Jewish community will recall that safeguards are in place to protect us. Those protective legislations are what help us navigate the intricate challenges encountered throughout history.

And so, before the question of a heter’s legitimacy is explored, we must first ask ourselves the question: Do we really want a heter?

© 2015 by TEACH613™