Speaking of Nature – Parashat Mishpatim

February 8, 2017 at 1:37 AM , , ,

“….If a bull gores…” – Shemot 21:28

וְכִי יִגַּח שׁוֹר – כא, כח

The Torah demonstrates one’s liability for the damages caused by his animals with a case of someone’s bull goring killing a person or causing damage to someone’s property. In truth, however, these same laws also apply if any other animal or bird did the damage. But, as Rashi explains here and elsewhere, “Scripture speaks of the ordinary,” and barring any specific reason for exception, the same laws will apply in all instances similar to the ordinary one depicted in the Torah.

Rashi’s expression, “Scripture speaks of the ordinary,” also conveys an important message about how we must view everything that transpires in the world.

We can easily acknowledge the hand of G-d when we observe an unlikely turn of events or unnatural phenomena. When things follows their ordinary patterns, however, and everything seems predictable, one can easily make the mistake of thinking that the ordinary things that transpire in the world are just “natural” and automatic.

Speaking of Nature

To correct this mistake, Rashi says, “Scripture speaks of the ordinary.” Even the “ordinary”—the most normal and predictable aspects of life, are being caused and brought about by “Scripture speaking”—by the words written in the Torah. As Chassidus teaches, all of existence is constantly being generated and animated by the words which G-d uttered and thereby created the world, as they are documented in the Torah, in the Book of Beraishis.

With the words “Scripture speaks of the ordinary,” Rashi teaches us that nothing is natural. Because Scripture speaks, the ordinary happens.

—Likkutei Sichos vol. 6, p. 141

 

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