Judaism Began on Sinai

Shavua Tov. Today’s Parsha has a small reference to Moshe’s two sons, Gershom and Eliezer. We never really hear much about them and how they progressed. I once heard a Dvar Torah from my friend, Yakov Bauman, ז״ל, that the reason why they never gained any great notoriety was because they missed out on the revelation at Har Sinai. Had they been there, they would have been transformed to a higher level of sanctity. The revelation at הר סיני is the foundation upon which Judaism stands. Its acceptance as a real event that occurred is the primary reason why we believe that our religion is Divine. Because we believe that the Oral Law was also given on Sinai, we accept all of the specifics of Judaism down to the last detail. It has nothing to do with whether or not we agree with the Mitzvot. It has everything to do with the fact that these laws come from Hashem, and we are too small and insignificant to argue with them. This acceptance of Sinai is critical and is a leap of faith. Had we actually been there, it would be easier. But the knowledge that our ancestors were there, and we were there in spirit, should be enough motivation to enthusiastically observe the entire Torah.