In the Talmud Shabbos 88 Chazal say that Bnei Yisrael did not merely stand at the foot of the mountain, but that Hashem lifted up the mountain over their heads, declaring, “If you will accept the Torah, it is good. If not, here will be your burying place.” This implies that Hashem imposed the Torah upon us against our will. He threatened us with extinction if we were not to accept the Torah. Is this true? The commentators offer a number of explanations to lend insight to Chazal’s words. Horav Eliyahu Meier Bloch, zl, views the mountain over Bnei Yisrael’s heads as a symbolic lesson about what our attitude in approaching the Torah should be.
When Klal Yisrael stood beneath the mountain, they understood the meaning of the moment. They either accepted the Torah — or they would die. This same idea forms the basis of perspective through which we are to view the Torah. One either accepts, studies and adheres to it, or his life has no validity or meaning. One who studies Torah as if it were just another intellectual pursuit, regardless of its profound nature, demeans the Torah. In addition, he will derive nothing from his endeavor. One who studies Torah because it is the lifeblood of our People, the blueprint of our lives, is sustained through his effort. Torah is a life-sustaining force that nourishes the Jewish soul. The Torah gave the Jewish people throughout the ages the strength and resolution to sacrifice themselves to sanctify Hashem’s Name. They understood that without the Torah, the mountain might as well have been dropped on them. The Torah gives meaning to life. Without the Torah, we have no life.
