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Exodus 20:15 - Witnessing Divine Revelation's awe?

Exodus 20:15 - שמות 20:15

Hebrew Text

וְכָל־הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹת וְאֶת־הַלַּפִּידִם וְאֵת קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר וְאֶת־הָהָר עָשֵׁן וַיַּרְא הָעָם וַיָּנֻעוּ וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק׃

English Translation

And all the people perceived the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the sound of the shofar, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they were shaken, and stood afar off.

Transliteration

Ve-khol ha-am ro-im et ha-kolot ve-et ha-lapidim ve-et kol ha-shofar ve-et ha-har ashan va-yar ha-am va-yanu'u va-ya'amdu me-rachok.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְכׇל־הָעָם֩ רֹאִ֨ים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹ֜ת וְאֶת־הַלַּפִּידִ֗ם וְאֵת֙ ק֣וֹל הַשֹּׁפָ֔ר וְאֶת־הָהָ֖ר עָשֵׁ֑ן וַיַּ֤רְא הָעָם֙ וַיָּנֻ֔עוּ וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ מֵֽרָחֹֽק׃
וְכׇל־הָעָם֩ רֹאִ֨ים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹ֜ת וְאֶת־הַלַּפִּידִ֗ם וְאֵת֙ ק֣וֹל הַשֹּׁפָ֔ר וְאֶת־הָהָ֖ר עָשֵׁ֑ן וַיַּ֤רְא הָעָם֙ וַיָּנֻ֔עוּ וַיַּֽעַמְד֖וּ מֵֽרָחֹֽק׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Revelation at Sinai

The verse describes the awe-inspiring revelation at Mount Sinai, where the Jewish people experienced the giving of the Torah in a miraculous and overwhelming manner. The phrase "וְכָל־הָעָם רֹאִים אֶת־הַקּוֹלֹת" ("all the people perceived the thunderings") is interpreted by Rashi (Exodus 20:15) to mean that the people saw the sounds—an impossibility under normal circumstances, indicating the supernatural nature of the event. This teaches that at Sinai, the boundaries between sensory perceptions were transcended, demonstrating the divine origin of the Torah.

The Multisensory Experience

The verse lists four phenomena:

  • Thunderings (הַקּוֹלֹת) – The voice of Hashem, as explained by the Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 2:33), was not a physical sound but a divine communication directly implanted in the minds of the people.
  • Lightnings (הַלַּפִּידִם) – Symbolizing the clarity and illumination of Torah wisdom (Midrash Tanchuma, Yitro 14).
  • Sound of the shofar (קוֹל הַשֹּׁפָר) – Growing progressively louder (Exodus 19:19), representing the escalating intensity of divine revelation (Rashi).
  • Smoking mountain (הָהָר עָשֵׁן) – A sign of Hashem's presence, akin to the smoke on the altar (Exodus 19:18), indicating sanctity and awe.

The People's Reaction

The phrase "וַיָּנֻעוּ וַיַּעַמְדוּ מֵרָחֹק" ("they were shaken and stood afar off") reflects their overwhelming fear and reverence. The Talmud (Shabbat 88b) explains that the people initially retreated out of awe but were later gently guided back by Moshe, emphasizing the balance between fear of Hashem and the loving acceptance of Torah. The Mechilta (Yitro 9) adds that this reaction demonstrated their recognition of the divine majesty, ensuring their commitment to Torah observance.

Spiritual Implications

According to the Ramban (Exodus 20:15), this event established the eternal covenant between Hashem and Israel, proving that the Torah was not a human invention but a divine revelation witnessed by an entire nation. The Sforno notes that their standing "afar off" was temporary—once they internalized the experience, they drew closer to accept the mitzvos with full devotion.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Shabbat 88b
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the revelation at Mount Sinai and the people's reaction to the divine presence.
📖 Makkot 24a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the awe-inspiring nature of the Sinai revelation and its impact on the Israelites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does it mean that the people 'saw the thunderings' at Mount Sinai?
A: Rashi explains that this was a miraculous experience where the Jewish people could actually see what is normally only heard (sound waves). This demonstrated the unique, supernatural nature of the revelation at Sinai.
Q: Why were the people standing far away from Mount Sinai?
A: The Midrash teaches that after experiencing G-d's awesome presence, the people felt unworthy to approach too closely. This shows proper reverence when encountering holiness.
Q: What is the significance of the shofar sound at Mount Sinai?
A: The Rambam explains that the shofar represents awakening to spiritual awareness. At Sinai, it signaled the momentous occasion of receiving the Torah, just as we blow shofar on Rosh Hashanah to awaken us to repentance.
Q: How does the smoking mountain relate to our lives today?
A: The Talmud teaches that the smoke symbolizes how Torah study should 'burn' within us with passion. Just as the mountain was visibly transformed, Torah should transform our lives with visible mitzvah observance.
Q: Why does the verse mention both seeing and hearing at Sinai?
A: The Sages explain this teaches that Torah must be absorbed through both intellectual understanding (hearing) and emotional/internalizing (seeing). Complete Torah observance requires both mind and heart.