Have you ever experienced sudden inspiration? A holy moment? A sense of clarity about the world, your life and who you can be?
The Jewish people had such an experience, infinitely magnified, when they stood at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah.
For those standing at the base of that mountain, the world changed: Reality made sense, and the purpose of existence was clear.
No more nagging questions.
No more internal confusion.
But what about before the inspiration hits? Is there anything we can do to trigger a mental/spiritual lightning bolt?
Not really.
That’s why they’re rare.
At the same time, inspiration usually seeks fertile ground, and comes to those who are genuinely receptive to an inner glow.
We can see this in the Torah’s relatively lengthy description of the trials, tribulations and triumphs of our ancestors - Abraham, Sarah and their descendants – whose lives form the prelude to Sinai.
The Torah’s entire first Book (Genesis) is devoted to this account. And a fair question arises: Why spend so much ink on [what appears to be] historical background?
The Torah isn’t a history book; it’s a Book of Direction in Life. So, the Torah’s text should be focused on directives, beginning with those we received at Mount Sinai (which doesn’t happen until the second Book).
Why does the Torah painstakingly describes the unfolding of the Jewish people, PRE-SINAI.
The Torah is telling us that we need to lay appropriate groundwork before we can have our [individual] “Sinai Experience.”
Abraham and Sara, and their subsequent generations, went through a spiritual evolution which brought their family to a Sinai-ready state; those standing at Sinai to receive the Torah were standing on their shoulders.
The pre-Sinai generations grappled with their egos, working to steer their lives toward a meaningful purpose beyond self-gratification.
They guided their lives by vision, not impulse.
They identified their natural challenges and transcended them, transforming themselves into selfless, principled people.
They didn’t postpone their self-refinement efforts because they were waiting for a gift from above.
At the same time, they searched for connectedness with the Divine, and they didn’t take no for an answer.
That’s why they were ready for Sinai.
Inspiration happens.
Are we ready?