The Marriage Between God and Israel at Sinai

Full Summary

Rabbi Zweig begins by examining the final Mishnah (משנה) in Pirkei Avos chapter 1, which states the world stands on three things: justice (din), truth (emes), and peace (shalom), and how this relates to the earlier Mishnah about Torah (תורה), service of God (avodah), and kindness (gemilus chasadim). He then transitions to discussing the five tragic events that occurred on Shiva Asar B'Tammuz: the breaking of the tablets, cessation of daily sacrifices, breaching of Jerusalem's walls, burning of the Torah, and placing an idol in the sanctuary. The core insight emerges through understanding what the tablets represented. Drawing from the story of Eliezer giving Rivkah bracelets as engagement gifts, Rabbi Zweig explains that the two tablets were God's wedding gift to the Jewish people, signifying that Sinai was not merely God imposing laws but establishing a marriage relationship. This explains why the tablets were needed despite having the Torah - they served as tangible evidence of the marriage bond, not as a record of the commandments. When Moshe broke the tablets upon seeing the golden calf, he was dissolving the marriage relationship, reducing idolatry from adultery (which it would be if they were married to God) to mere disobedience. This is supported by the parallel structure of the Ten Commandments, where idolatry and adultery correspond, and by the Torah's use of the word 'jealous' only regarding idolatry - the emotion appropriate to a betrayed spouse. The second tablets received on Yom Kippur represent remarriage, explaining why that day became associated with matchmaking and contains 120 words in the Sheva Brachos corresponding to the 120 days from Shavuot to Yom Kippur. Rabbi Zweig then explores the nature of love and marriage through the Rambam (רמב"ם)'s three categories from Aristotle: love of benefit, love of tranquility, and love of growth. True marriage must be based on the highest level - mutual growth toward moral perfection. This is why God gave the commandments simultaneously with marriage at Sinai - the law provides purpose and direction for growth, while the marriage relationship provides the commitment and support necessary to achieve that growth. The tragedy of Shiva Asar B'Tammuz is not just broken stone tablets, but the dissolution of the marriage relationship that provides divine assistance in achieving moral elevation. Without this marital bond, Jews still have obligations but lack the intimate divine help that transforms mere obligation into spiritual growth.