19 May THE HISTORIC DECLARATION OF NA’ASEH V’NISHMAH

As we celebrate the
wonderful Yomtov of
Shavous, one of the
things that we recall
is the historical and
admirable proclamation
of Klal Yisroel, “Na’aseh
v’Nishmah – We will
do and we will listen.” This was such a
monumental accomplishment that we are
taught that angels came and put upon the
head of every Jew two celestial crowns,
one in the honor of Na’aseh and one in the
honor of Nishmah. Let’s delve a bit into the
significances of this memorable proclamation.
First, I think the location of Na’aseh
v’Nishmah in the Torah is significant. It is
found in Sefer Shmos, chapter 24, posuk
7, which remarkably points to the fact that
Na’aseh v’Nishmah is a 24/7 obligation.
Now, I know that some of my readers will
scoff, saying that the pesukim and chapters
came from a gentile source. I respond that the
holy Shefa Chaim, the Klausenberger Rebbe,
zt”l, zy”a, in his Chumash shiur would attach
significance to such numbers, so we can do
so as well.
The next thing I’d like to point out is a global
custom that, if someone is making noise
during davening, we silence him with the
expression, “Nu!” What exactly does nu,

spelled simply nun-vav, mean? I had always
suggested it’s a reference to Siman nun-vav
in Shulchan Orech, in the Laws of Kaddish.
This is the first place the Shulchan Orech tells
us to be quiet during davening. So, we say,
“Nu, Remember Siman nun-vav!” However,
it later dawned on me that “nu” is an acronym
for Na’aseh v’Nishmah, so we are chastening
the talker to remember that we pledged to do
and to listen.
Of course, the obvious question is that our
commitment seems to be in the wrong order.
Wouldn’t it be more sensible to say Nishmah
v’Na’aseh, first saying “Let me hear,” after
which I could then responsibly say, “I’ll be
able to do it.” Herein lies one of the great
significances of this declaration. We are
espousing to Hashem that we do not need
to hear what it is first. Rather, whatever He
gives us, we will be sure to listen to for we
have firm faith that, “Ein haKadosh Baruch
Hu bah b’trunya im briosav – Hashem does
not ask from us more than we can handle,”
and therefore we can say with complete
conviction, “Na’aseh, We’re ready to do
whatever it is. for we know that You (Hashem)
will only give us what’s good for us and what
is within our toolbox.”
This is of great solace to someone who is
given a serious challenge such as the loss
of a child or a major sickness, lo aleinu. If

Hashem gave the person such a nasoyan,
challenge, then he is certainly up to the task,
to meet it, and to get through it.
But Na’aseh v’Nishmah has another significant
intent. Nishmah refers to Torah study, for it
is when we learn Torah that we are listening
to Hashem’s words. Again, we would think
that it should therefore say Nishmah and then
Na’aseh, first we should listen to Hashem’s
Torah to know what to do and then fulfill it.
But the Bnei Yisroel got the order right. The
Torah is not like calculus or physics which
you can accomplish merely with assiduous
study and a modicum of intelligence. One’s
ethical and moral behavior has nothing to
do with the equation. This is definitely not
true when it comes to Torah. One will only
succeed if he first is a worthy vessel through
his own ethical and moral behavior. Thus,
we are taught, “Derech eretz kadma l’Torah,”
behaving like a mentch precedes the Torah.
In his masterpiece on Pirkei Avos, Rabbeinu
Yonah says that is why it says, “Sur mei ra
v’aseh tov – Turn away from evil and do
good.” We know that the word tov, good,
refers to Torah, as in the verse, “Ki lekach tov
nasati lachem Torasi al ta’azovu – A goodly
merchandise I have given you ; do not forsake
My Torah.” To prosper in Torah, one must be
a mentch first and turn away from evil. It is
quite understandable that a mouth sullied with
lashon hara, vulgarity, or hurtful words will
not thrive in the arena of Torah discussion.
Nor will ears that listen to forbidden
gossip, someone else’s secrets, or heretical
thoughts prosper in the holy Torah.
Therefore, we say “Na’aseh,” first we will
do, we will behave ethically and morally
and only then will we succeed in our career
of Nishmah. Just like the finest bouquet of
wine will be ruined if you pour it into a dirty
goblet, so too the Torah will be spoiled if a
sinful impure person tries to absorb it.
We are taught, “Adam l’amal yulad – A
person is created to toil.” The word l’amal,
to toil, is an acronym for Lilmod Al Menas
Laasos, to learn in order to perform. It
is only when one studies with the goal
of practicing what he learns that he will
accomplish and grow in his studies. This
is why a boy who learns in a yeshiva away
from home, returns and is chutzpadig to
his parents, or a husband who goes to a daf
yomi shiur, returns home and is unkind to
his wife, will not be given the true delights
of Torah. This is what we remember when
we say “Na’aseh v’Nishmah.” Make out
of yourself a person of value and then you
will be able to hear and experience the
sweetness of Torah.
Rav Avraham Pam, zt”l, zy”a, has a
fascinating twist to the age-old declaration
“Na’aseh v’Nishmah.” He explains that we
said with assurance to Hashem, Na’aseh,
our ancestors Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov,
and the Shivtei K”a, the holy Tribes,

already performed the Torah and showed their
loyalty. So, Torah commitment is already in
our genetic base. It is embedded in our very
DNA. Therefore, we can assure you, Hashem,
that Nishmah, we too will listen and adhere to
your holy Torah.
My dear readers, I want to add a personal
blessing that you and your families should
have a healthy and inspiring Shavous, full of
new commitment to the Torah. It that vein,
I’d like to point out that in this coming year
you can join my Daf haYomi family with a
commitment to learn Torah every day by
going to zoomdaf.com and entering meeting
code RMMW. This coming Sunday through
Thursday, the shiur will be at 8:55pm and
motzoi Shabbos at 10:40pm. You can learn
my Chumash Gems on the same zoom address
on Wednesday nights at approximately
9:40pm and join our “For the Shabbos Table”
shiur on Thursday nights, also at 9:40pm.
On your own schedule, you can delve into
the archives of TorahAnytime, my YouTube
channel, or tune-in on KolHalashon and
listen to my shiurim on marriage, such as,
“A Marriage Workshop” or “Sweetening Our
Marriage,” deepen your tefillah in a shiur
like “A Shemoneh Esrei Primer,” or my new
series, “Chess: Lessons for Life.”
In the merit of our renewed Torah commitment,
may Hashem bless us with long life, good
health and everything wonderful.