On the Mountain Top
The mountain looms large in the story of the Shavuot. It was upon the Mountain of Sinai that G‑d revealed himself to the Jewish people to give them the Ten Commandments and the Torah. The Jews assembled at the foot of the Mountain, G‑d called to Moses from the top of the Mountain, and Moses stayed upon the Mountain for forty days and forty nights.
The truth is, however, that Mount Sinai hardly amounts to much of a mountain. A non-descript part of a long desert range, it is actually a midget among mountains. It isn't very high or graceful... the Alps it isn't. The Midrash actually describes a rivlary, in which the more prominent and outstanding Mountains of Carmel and Tabor were better candidates as locations for such an important event as the Revelation of G‑d and the Torah.
The Midrash teaches us that this is a lesson. G‑d chose the low mountain of Sinai because it was humble. It wasn't arrogant or haughty as were the taller and higher mountains.
Now the question arises: If G‑d sought humility as the place for the Torah, why not give the Torah in a valley, or on a flat plateau- which would have emphasized humility even more. Why a mountain at all ??
The answer is given by Rabbi Shneur Zalman, the founder of Chabad Lubavitch. Important as it is to be humble, it is also important that we should be proud of our heritage. We shouldn't keep such a low profile that we allow ourselves to be stepped upon.
The mountain of Sinai teaches us, that to a certain extent, we must have self respect; that we should stand tall and proud with our Jewish identity. We shouldn't be haughty, but we must remember the important role of the Jewish nation.
It is highly important for us to teach this to our children and community — to be proud and happy with our Jewish Mitzvot, customs and observances. We have to promote this through our words and actions. The Mishna says that each and every day, a message goes forth from the mountain of Sinai, calling upon people to respect the Torah!
