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Why did Hashem (ה׳) threaten the Jews with Mount Sinai when they had already declared 'na'aseh v'nishma'? The Baal HaTurim's reading reveals that 'nishma' means 'it will be understood' - they committed to doing mitzvos confident that understanding would follow. The coercion wasn't for acceptance but for maintaining enthusiasm in observance.
This shiur analyzes a complex passage in Pesachim 88a which describes how Hashem (ה׳) held Mount Sinai over the Jewish people like a barrel and threatened them, despite their having already agreed to accept the Torah (תורה). The Gemara (גמרא) states that Hashem told them: 'If you accept the Torah, good; if not, this will be your burial place.' Tosafot raises a fundamental question: why was coercion necessary when they had already declared 'na'aseh v'nishma' - prioritizing action before understanding? The shiur explores the deeper meaning of 'na'aseh v'nishma' through the lens of the Baal HaTurim's commentary. The Baal HaTurim identifies three appearances of forms of 'nishma' in the Torah: regarding the High Priest's bells ('v'nishma kolo'), regarding Achashverosh's decree ('v'nishma pisgam hamelech'), and our declaration at Sinai. Critically, while the first two are in the nifal (passive) form meaning 'it will be heard/understood,' the third should be understood similarly: 'na'aseh v'nishma' means 'we will do, and it will be understood.'
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Pesachim 88a
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