BackThe Most Inclusive Verse in the Torah
By: Rabbi Barak Bar-Chaim
Our sages in the Midrash (Sifra) discuss which verse in the Torah is the most inclusive. The Maharal of Prague (1525-1609) brings a Midrash, first cited by the author of Ein Ya’akov (Rabbi Ya’akov Ben Haviv 1460-1516), which discusses the issue of which verse in the Torah is most inclusive:
Ben Zoma says: “We have found a more inclusive verse and it is ‘Shema Yisrael.’” (Devarim 6;4)
Ben Nanas says: “We have found a more inclusive verse than that and it is ‘Love your fellow man as yourself.’” (Vayikra 19;18)
Shimon Ben Pazi says: “We have found a more inclusive verse than that and it is ‘The first lamb you shall sacrifice in the morning and the second lamb you shall sacrifice in the evening.’” (Shemot 29;39- referring to the daily Tamid (perpetual) offering brought every morning and evening)
Rabbi Ploni stood up and said that the halacha is in accordance with Ben Pazi as it is written, “As all that I show you, the structure of the Mishkan and all its vessels: so shall you do.” (Shemot 25;9)
We understand that “Shema Yisrael” is most inclusive because Shema is accepting upon ourselves the yolk of Heavenly service. We all understand the central nature of the Mitzvah to love one’s fellow as oneself. However, the opinion of Shimon Ben Pazi is difficult to understand. How could one possibly consider the verse speaking about the daily offerings in the temple (one lamb in the morning and one in the evening) to be the most inclusive verse in the Torah?
We may suggest that the daily offering expresses the idea of consistency which is essential in Torah observance. Although this is certainly true, it is still difficult to understand why this is such an inclusive concept in the Torah. The Maharal has an insightful explanation of the opinion of Shimon Ben Pazi. He explains that the ideal of the Torah is for a person be an eved Hashem, a servant of God. When a person serves God inconsistently, only when a person feels inspired to do so, the person is not a true servant of God. There is a certain self-service in the person’s service of God when a person only serves God when it suits them to do so. However, a person who serves God every day no matter how they are feeling, is truly a servant of God. This is why the verse dealing with the daily offerings is the most fundamental verse in the Torah.
While it is truly important to inspire oneself in the service of God, we should be consistent in our service under all circumstances. My Rosh Yeshiva, Rabbi Azriel Goldfein, of blessed memory, would say, “We are to be all-weather Jews.”