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Leviticus 25:1 - Torah's Sinai connection revealed

Leviticus 25:1 - ויקרא 25:1

Hebrew Text

וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה בְּהַר סִינַי לֵאמֹר׃

English Translation

And the Lord spoke to Moshe in mount Sinay, saying,

Transliteration

Vayedaber Adonai el-Moshe beHar Sinai lemor.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּהַ֥ר סִינַ֖י לֵאמֹֽר׃
וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה בְּהַ֥ר סִינַ֖י לֵאמֹֽר׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

The Significance of Mount Sinai

The verse states that Hashem spoke to Moshe specifically at Mount Sinai. Rashi (Vayikra 25:1) explains that this emphasizes that just as all the mitzvot were given at Sinai, so too the laws that follow (in this context, the laws of Shemitah) were given at Sinai. This teaches that the entire Torah, including its oral traditions, originates from Sinai.

The Location of Revelation

The Rambam (Moreh Nevuchim 3:24) discusses why Hashem chose Mount Sinai for the giving of the Torah. He suggests that its modest height symbolizes humility, a prerequisite for receiving Torah. The Midrash (Shemot Rabbah 2:4) adds that Sinai was chosen because it was a "neutral" location, not belonging to any particular tribe, showing that Torah is accessible to all of Israel.

The Eternal Nature of Torah

The Talmud (Shabbat 88a) derives from this verse that every future Torah teaching, even those given by later sages, was already hinted at and rooted in the revelation at Sinai. This concept is known as "halacha l'Moshe miSinai" - laws given to Moshe at Sinai.

  • The Sifra (Behar 1:1) notes the repetition of "at Sinai" teaches that just as the general principles and details were given at Sinai, so too all future elaborations of Torah law stem from that original revelation.
  • Rabbi Ovadia Sforno explains that mentioning Sinai here reminds us that the Torah's agricultural laws (like Shemitah) are just as divinely ordained as the more obviously "spiritual" commandments.

The Continuous Revelation

The Zohar (Shemot 85b) interprets that "in Mount Sinai" implies Moshe was in a constant state of receiving Torah, not just during the initial revelation. This reflects the ongoing nature of Torah study and interpretation throughout generations.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does the Torah mention that Hashem spoke to Moshe at Har Sinai in this verse?
A: Rashi explains that this teaches us that just as the general principles and details of all mitzvos were given at Har Sinai, so too the laws of Shemitah (the Sabbatical year) mentioned in this verse - with all their details - were given at Sinai. This emphasizes that no mitzvah is more or less important than another.
Q: What is the significance of Har Sinai in Judaism?
A: Har Sinai is where the Jewish people received the Torah directly from Hashem. The Talmud (Shabbos 88a) teaches that at Sinai, all Jews - past, present and future - stood together to accept the Torah. This moment established our eternal covenant with Hashem and is the foundation of Jewish belief and practice.
Q: How does this verse connect to the rest of Parshat Behar?
A: This opening verse introduces the laws that follow about Shemitah (the Sabbatical year) and Yovel (Jubilee). By mentioning Sinai, the Torah connects these agricultural and economic laws to the same Divine authority as all other mitzvos, showing they are equally sacred and binding.
Q: What lesson can we learn today from this mention of Har Sinai?
A: The Rambam teaches that remembering the revelation at Sinai strengthens our emunah (faith). This verse reminds us that all mitzvos - whether between man and Hashem or between people - originate from the same Divine source at Sinai, giving them eternal relevance and sanctity.
Q: Why does the Torah repeat that Hashem spoke to Moshe if we already know this from earlier?
A: The Midrash (Sifra) explains that this repetition teaches that just as the laws of Shemitah were given with all their details at Sinai, so too every mitzvah in the Torah - even if not stated near Sinai - was given with full details at Sinai. This shows the completeness and Divine origin of all Torah laws.