No More Than One More Yitro Thought

Before they receive the Torah, G-d wants the Jewish People to know something. He tells Moshe to inform the people they are a segulah - treasure to Him and that they are to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation ( Shemos, 10: 4-5).

Rav Shlomo Yosef Zevin, however, in LeTorah U' LeMoadim, explains Rashi's comment of "no more and no less" in a unique manner. He develops the idea that although our souls are boundless they are constrained by our bodies. We are limited in the spiritual heights we can achieve. The good news is that we are also constrained in how far down we can fall. He says that even at our lowest we maintain our segulah status. On the other end of the spectrum we are blessed with free will and can achieve the title of a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. We are bound to exist somewhere between the freebie of am segulah and the crowning accomplishment of mamlechet kohanim/goy kadosh.

Right before the Torah was given, G-d wanted the Jewish people to know how high they could fly, and also that there was a safety net. These are two important lessons for us to remember always as a nation and as individuals.

Special thanks to Rabbi Josh Hoffman. This piece was adapted from his inspiring essay in his weekly Netvort.