This week’s Torah portion, which is largely composed of civil ordinances, begins with the phrase (said by God to Moshe): “And these are the laws you shall set before them.”
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, echoing Rashi, notes the unexpected clause: “… you shall set before them.” He suggests that a more fitting choice of words would seem to be: “And these are the laws you shall teach them.” So why, instead, is the clause “you shall set before them” used?
Rabbi Hirsch cites Rashi, who explains that it is not enough to teach students Torah. Rather, a Torah teacher must make sure the matters discussed are understandable, and accessible, to all the students so that the subjects presented are ‘set before them’ – like a set table, ready for a meal.
Coming just after the section that chronicles the very public presentation of the Ten Commandments, this introductory phrase makes a strong statement. Just as God made sure that His will could be heard clearly by all the people, so too do our Torah teachers need to take special care that their message reaches all their students. This is a message that speaks to all of us, not just teachers, who share the beauty of Torah with others – as parents, at a Shabbat table, or even with colleagues in a secular workplace who ask "Why do you do that?"
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