After the Jewish people left Mitzrayim, they began their journey to Israel through the desert.
The Jews counted 40 days until Hashem would give them the special present that He had for them. But first, Hashem tried to give the Torah to other people who would be happy to own it. He sent angels from nation to nation asking if they'd like this gift. Each nation explained why they didn't want to accept the Torah. At the end, the angels went to the Jewish people and asked them if they'd accept the Torah. They knew it must be a good thing since after all it was coming directly from Hashem. And, it was Hashem who took them out of Mitzrayim, He was the one who split the sea for them, and He was the one who gave them Mann to eat in the desert; so they knew the Torah would be a very special gift.
Altogether, they said "Naaseh V'Nishmah. We will do and we will listen."
Song:
Naaseh V'Nishma,
Was our cry,
We will do and we will listen,
Without asking why.
Hashem wanted to give the Torah in the desert. The desert is a bare and barren place, but a land which did not belong to any country or any nation. Whoever wanted to be there and accept the Torah could have done so.Now Hashem was looking for a mountain to give it on. One mountain wanted the honors because it was taller than all the other mountains, while another mountain claimed that it was so wide. But Hashem chose Mount Sinai becuase he was so humble. Har Sinai didn't have grass or flowers and wasn't able to brag about itself in any way. In the end, while the Jewish people were getting ready to receive the Torah, Hashem chose Har Sinai and made grass and flowers grow on it to be pretty for the Torah.
It is a wonderful midda/ character trait to know the things were good at, but to boast about it isnt pleasing to others or Hashem. Hashem honors humility. :)
Song:
I am a mountain so very tall,
I can reach way up to the sky,
the Torah can be given on me,
Cuz I am as tall as can be you see.
I am much wider than you,
There are so many things I can do,
The Torah can be given on me,
Cuz I am as wide as can be you see,
But little Har Sinai just stood there and sighed,
I know Im not tall,
I know Im not wide,
The Torah can't be given on me,
For I am as simple as can be you see,
But from all the mountains,
Hashem chose Sinai,
Because He did not hold himself high,
He had such simple and humble ways,
And from that we learn that humility pays.
Decorating the covers of our Mitzva Note Torahs.
The Aron Kodesh with the Torah inside- finished product!
