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Forced to persevere

A vort from the Baal Shem Tov (Kesser Shem Tov, pg. 7).

obormottel Tuesday, 07 June 2016

In the sugya of Matan Torah in Mesichta Shabbos there are (amongst many others) two mamorei Chazal: 1. The Yidden said Naaseh V'Nishman 2. כפה עליהם הר כגגית- the Eibishter held the mountain above the Yidden thereby forcing them to accept the Torah.

The question arises if they have already accepted the Torah, why was it necessary for Hashem to force them?
The Baal Shem Tov explains that if the Yidden would have only accepted the Torah of their own volition, than the keeping of Torah and Mitzvos would depend on their abilities. Then, in situations when they wouldn't have the ability to keep the Torah, they would be considered "Onus" - forced - whom "Rachmono Patrei" - Hashem exempts him. Therefore, Hashem forced them to accept the Torah, thereby ensuring that the fulfillment of Torah and Mitzvos is NOT dependent on the Yidden's own ability to overcome disturbances, and even in a situation that they wouldn't be able to overcome the challenge alone just being aware of the fact that Hashem is "forcing" them to persevere gives them the power to do so.

I just wanted to bring forth the point that the idea in the 12 steps that one has to admit helplessness and give it up completely to Hashem is not something that just addicts do to recover. It's a truthful idea that concerns all Yidden in Golus.