Over the past few months I have been sharing about our responsibilities as Jews. “V’atem Tiheyu-Li mamlechet v’goy kohanim eleh.” “You will be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” With Shavuot having come and gone, we’re left with a choice. Have we learned from the lesson at Sinai or do we go on with business as usual?

In the course of my learning over the years, I have often wondered what I might do when I’m faced with challenges that require me to actually take action. Upon reflection, I came to realize a few things:

(1) The lesson at Sinai and what we’ve been given with the written text of the Torah is more significant than we realize. This means we must pay closer attention to what’s written as well as what’s taught.

(2) In our efforts to do what we think is right, we must first seek the council of HaShem through the words of Torah and ask some fundamental questions: How is this being applied today? How does embracing/doing “this” keep/make me holy? (REMEMBER: The goal is: “…kedoshim tiheyu ki kadosh ani Adonai Eloheychem” “You shall be holy for Holy am I, Your God”)

(3) I don’t think that HaShem has overlooked anything when we were given the Torah. As fascinating as what is written, it is perhaps more fascinating what’s not. I don’t mean what’s not in terms of things like cars, airplanes, electricity, etc. I mean in terms of the dos and don’ts. I don’t think it’s by accident but by design.

For instance, isn’t it interesting that the text doesn’t outright prohibit slavery even though it speaks at length about how slaves and indentured servants are to be treated? Why not state it explicitly like so many other seemingly “bad” ideas? By doing so, I think it is HaShem’s way of telling us what’s really bad, so don’t do it.

Another intriguing thing is that most of the instructions are addressed to the men rather than to both men & women (or directly toward women). Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that we should or should not have slaves (or be a slave) or that women are incapable—but isn’t the silence interesting. And even more interesting is what is silent and what’s not.

Before you say, it’s because men wrote it in a world ruled by men. If that’s so, then why are there so many prohibitions, restrictions and requirements for the men. Whereas for women, there are disproportionally less prohibitions, restrictions and requirements. It seems to me that men have much fewer options while women get to choose whatever they want on so many more matters.

This means; and I hate to admit it. And men, you’re probably not going to like this, but this is why the woman is right no matter what she says or does. She can almost do no wrong! So, it seems that any restrictions, prohibitions or requirement are not from HaShem but strictly customary, traditional or cultural.

Here’s an example: Take the Shalosh Regalim: Chag HaMatzot, Shavuot & Sukkot. The men MUST appear before HaShem WITH an offering (no exceptions) these three times a year. While for women, there are neither requirements nor prohibitions. Hmmm…Isn’t that interesting?

It makes me wonder why and what does that mean for us today (or the future)? Over the years, I know there has been a lot of debate on this matter. If not, I don’t think we would have the volumes and volumes of Talmud, Mishna, etc.

However, I do think when we’re faced with “interpretive” choices; we do have to look to our Sages & Rabbis, but we also have to look within ourselves. I think the whole point of the Nishmat Chaiyim (the soul—breath of life) and B’tzelem Elohim, (“In God’s Image”) has been given to quicken within us to a deeper understand by connecting us to the divine.

Furthermore, the framework of the Torah is magnificently laid out for us in the 10 Statements (Ten Commandments). If this is so, how do we choose to do and to listen?