Sweet Dreams

The Talmud relates that on the night before the Torah was given, at a time when you’d expect the Jews to be wide awake with anticipation, they erred. Rather than spending the final moments intensively preparing for that long-awaited moment, they chose to sleep – and they even woke up late the next morning!

For 49 days since leaving Egypt, the Jews engaged in a constant process of self-refinement, which was to culminate with the giving of the Torah. It is thus inexplicable that on the final night, so close to their goal, they would set it all aside and go to sleep.

Chassidic teachings explain that their sleep on that night was not a result of disrespect for the awaited event, G-d forbid. On the contrary, they had the best intentions: they wished to separate themselves from the limitation of the physical world and commune with G-d in their sleep. During sleep, the soul temporarily leaves the body, and they thought that this would be the best way to prepare for receiving the Torah.

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What was wrong with their reasoning, and why do our sages describe it as a sin?

The Divine intention in giving the Torah was the exact opposite of what they were doing by sleeping. As stated in the Zohar, “G-d had a desire for a dwelling place in the lowest world.” G-d does not want us to leave our bodies to go roaming in upper spiritual realms. Rather, He wants us as souls in bodies, going about our business in the physical world, to infuse this world with holiness. In this manner we build for Him a dwelling in the lowest world, a place where physicality does not hinder but rather enhances our relationship with G-d.

Before the Torah was given there was no possibility of making the world into a dwelling for G-d. Physicality and spirituality just did not mesh. At Sinai, G-d removed this barrier, by interpreting His desires into commandments that deal with practical, mundane matters. People often wonder at the details and complexity of Halachah, Jewish law and ritual. Why the endless minutiae? Does it really matter that much to G-d the exact size of the matzah you eat, or in which order you tie your shoes? And the answer is yes, it does matter – because following these precise details is what brings G-d into every minute aspect of our lives.

Therefore, the choice of the people to sleep the night before the Torah was given was counted as a sin. It flew in the face of G-d’s desire to have a dwelling place in the lowest world.

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In the days of Moshiach, the process that begun on Shavuot will reach its full fruition. The entire world will be transformed into a place that openly expresses the presence of G-d. As the prophet states, “And the glory of G-d shall be revealed and all flesh shall see that G-d has spoken.” Even non-Jews will recognize the G-dly revelations, as is stated, “The nations will see that G-d’s name is called upon you.”