Regarding Avrohom Avinu the Torah tells us, "And he observed My safeguards, My mitzvos, My edicts and My Torahs" (Bereishis 26, 5). Rashi explains; "And he observed My safeguards - the Rabbinic commandments that were established to distance one from transgressing a Torah commandment. My Mitzvos - those things that are appropriate to be commandments even had they not been written. My edicts - things with which the yetzer hara and the nations take issue such as not eating pig and not wearing shatnez. And My Torahs - This includes the Oral Torah and those halachos that were transmitted to Moshe at Sinai."
The Medrash comments on the above pasuk, "From where did Avrohom learn Torah? Reb Shimon says his two kidneys acted as two pitchers of water that gushed forth Torah. Reb Levi says from within himself he learned the Torah. Reb Yehonson says he even knew the [Rabbinic] mitzvah of eiruv tavshilin." It seems that Avrohom Avinu not only fulfilled the written Torah but also knew the entire Oral Torah. If Avrohom already possessed the entire Torah, why did Hashem need to arrange a Kabbalos HaTorah for his descendants a few generations later?
Rav Wolbe (Da’as Shlomo pgs. 117, 118) answers this question with the Ramban’s explanation of this pasuk: "It appears to me that Avrahom Avinu learned the entire Torah through divine prophecy and he toiled to understand the Torah, its secrets and the reasons behind the mitzvos. He observed the entire Torah as one who was not commanded but nevertheless wished to comply." Avrohom’s comprehension and subsequent fulfillment of the Torah came from the knowledge he received through his prophecy and not because he was so instructed via a Heavenly commandment. The essential aspect of the "Giving of the Torah" was in order to transform the Jewish People into a nation that would be from then on "commanded to perform."
What is the significance of being specifically commanded to perform the mitzvos? The Kuzari (2, 50) teaches us that Hashem’s commanding us to perform His mitzvos is comparable to His inviting us into His residence and dine at His table. Rav Wolbe explains that the performance of mitzvos can form a bond with the Creator so intimate that we should look upon each commandment as a personal invitation - so to speak - to enter Hashem’s abode and dine with Him. Each commandment from Hashem manifests his special love for us.
As we approach the Yom Tov of the "Giving of the Torah" we should be aware of the awesome present we have received. We were given six hundred and thirteen invitations and opportunities to connect with the Creator of the world. Could we ask for more?
Important Numbers
