Just One Small Thing ...

בס"ד

"ועתה ישראל מה ד' א-לוקיך שואל מעמך כי אם ליראה את ד' א-לוקיך, וללכת בכל דרכיו, ולאהבה אותו, ולעבדו בכל לבבך ובכל נפשך" [דברים י:יב]

"And now, Israel, what does Hashem require of you ? Just that you stand in awe of Him, and follow in all of his ways, and love Him, and serve him with all your heart and soul." [Devarim 10:12]

In this famous passuk, Moshe Rabbeinu seems to encapsulate the heart of what it means to be a G-d fearing Jew. What comes off as inconsistent, however, is the reference that this is a simple task. Specifically, when Moshe uses the term "כי אם" – contextually translated as "Just that…" – he is saying that this is no big deal.

From the Gemara (Brachos 33b) on down, scholars throughout the ages have tried to come to terms with how Moshe Rabbeinu can refer to standing in awe of Hashem as 'no big deal'. The Gemara concludes that the lofty concept of Yiraas Hashem is indeed 'no big deal' to someone of Moshe Rabbeinu's caliber. There is another lesson to be learned here.

Awe is the natural reaction of a frail and mortal man when confronted with powers and occurrences that are well beyond him. The raging sea during a gale or the majestic, towering clouds of a thunderstorm; the endless array of stars on a clear night or the vast desolation of a desert wasteland – all these produce in us a feeling of awe. We don't need to learn mussar works to feel awed by the destructive power of a huge bomb, and we don't need to meditate upon awe when we come upon a deep and cavernous canyon.

Moshe Rabbeinu tells us that standing in awe of Hashem is not an extraordinary feat for one simple reason, it doesn't need to be faked.

If we had to pretend to fear a harmless flea or be overawed by a small child – that would be something to emphasize. That would take acting, meditation and years of study to perfect. But Hashem? The one and only ruler over all ?! The One whose very essence sustains and directs every molecule and atom in the universe and whose awesome power unleashes and tames every storm and quake ?!?!?! All that takes is recognition. Once we recognize, once we actually see the world and Hashem for what they are, inevitably, we will be awed.

Let us take a moment to look around and see the world for what it is – an incredibly complex, living and breathing testament to Hashem, and the extent of His power. And then let us stand in awe, after all, its 'no big deal'.

Hatzlacha !!