At the heart of Jewish tradition, the revelation at Mount Sinai stands as a defining moment, shaping the relationship between the Divine and the people of Israel. While a simple reading of the Bible might suggest an encounter with an infinite being, deeper insights into Torah reveal a profound truth: what happened at Sinai was not just a meeting with God—it was an encounter with our highest, truest self.
The First Words: A Revelation of Oneness
When the Jewish people stood at Sinai, they heard the words: “Anokhi Hashem Elokecha” — “I am Hashem, your God.” At first glance, this might appear to be a declaration of God’s presence, but a deeper understanding suggests something even more powerful. The phrase “Anokhi” (I am) introduces the ultimate truth: “I am all that was, is, and will be.” This is not just a personal “I” but the infinite “I” that encompasses the entire universe, everything that exists, and everything that ever will.
This “I” is not just God above us, but also within us. In this revelation, we are not just meeting an external force, but our deeper self—the soul of the universe, our own higher, truest essence.
The Secret of Torah: Connecting with the Ultimate Self
The secrets of Torah explain that every commandment, every mitzvah, is not about obedience to an external being, but about aligning ourselves with the ultimate “I.” The commandments offer us ways to think, speak, and act in a way that connects us with the deeper, hidden dimensions of our soul. They are guides that help us live in harmony with our higher self—the “One” self that is not separate from us, but the source of all life.
In truth, the goal of Torah is not to serve an external God, but to manifest the Divine “I” in the world, to embody that oneness in our lives and actions. The commandments are steps that allow us to recognize our true self, the self that is united with the divine.
Love and Self-Discovery: The Ultimate Reward
When we truly bring the “One” self into the world, we unlock a life of profound fulfillment. The greatest reward of living a Torah life is love—a love that flows from the oneness of all existence. This love transcends the individual and binds us together in a shared experience of self-discovery and divine connection.
By connecting with the ultimate “I” of Sinai, we open ourselves up to a life of deeper meaning, self-realization, and love. This is the secret of Torah: not just a set of laws, but a path to discovering the divine within, and ultimately, the universe’s highest truth—our truest self.
