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Why does the Torah (תורה) present two models of receiving Torah—Parshas Yisro's mediated acceptance through Moshe and Parshas Mishpatim's direct hearing? The shiur develops the principle that Torah must be both obligatory (Yisro) and palatable (Mishpatim). Rashi (רש"י)'s metaphor of the "shulchan aruch"—a prepared table—reveals that mitzvos require not just clarity but ta'am, taste and understanding, creating internal connection (tocho k'varo) rather than mechanical performance.
The shiur opens with a fundamental question: Why does the Torah (תורה) establish two distinct moments of kabbalas haTorah—one in Parshas Yisro where klal Yisrael receives Torah through Moshe Rabbeinu as an intermediary, and another in Parshas Mishpatim where they express the desire to hear directly from Hashem (ה׳)? Furthermore, what is the significance of the word "v'eileh" at the beginning of Parshas Mishpatim, which Rashi (רש"י) explains indicates an addition to—rather than rejection of—what came before at Sinai? The core insight emerges from Rashi's comment on the pasuk "asher tasim lifneihem." Rashi explains that Hashem told Moshe not to think he could simply teach the halachos two or three times until the people know them clearly without being "matriach" himself to explain the reasons (ta'amei hadavar). Rather, the Torah must be presented "k'shulchan aruch u'muchan le'echol lifnei ha'adam"—like a set table, prepared for eating before a person.
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Shemos 21:1 (Parshas Mishpatim), Shemos 24:11
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