Feb. 7, 2024

The Ten Commandments and the Celebration of Uniqueness (Rav Hirsch)

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Season 6

Have you ever stopped to consider the profound uniqueness of every individual among the 8 billion people on this planet? This episode celebrates that staggering diversity, a tribute to the singular beauty that each person represents in the grand mosaic of humanity. We'll unravel the subtle yet significant differences that make us all stand out, reinforcing the value of individuality in a world teeming with life. Our journey through this topic is guided by the wise words of Rav Hirsch, who sheds light on the deeper meanings within the Ten Commandments, particularly the commandment against making a vain oath. 

Rav Hirsch's insights illuminate the importance of recognizing and nurturing our talents, a sentiment echoed by Rabbi Yerucham's teachings on avoiding the pitfalls of imitation. As we explore these themes, we reflect on how our spiritual heritage glorifies the sanctity of our individuality. Whether it's the nuances in our features or the distinct paths we walk in life, this episode is an ode to the irreplaceable contributions each one of us makes to the collective human experience. So join us, and let's honor the extraordinary in everyone.

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Questions or Comments? Please email me @ michaelbrooke97@gmail.com



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On the morning of November 15th 2022, we all accomplished something wonderful.

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We were a part of the great victory of humankind reaching 8 billion total people in the world.

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Round of applause for us.

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Pat on the back, here we go.

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Procreation.

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I guess we're going up about 0.9% annual increase of human life on the world.

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Very cool.

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And what is kind of funny but shocking is that if you travel the world, walk outside, you'll see people and out of all 8 billion of us, nobody looks the same and there isn't that much that can even change.

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In the face, you've got some eyes, some noses, some earses and some mouthhises, but no one looks the same and there isn't that much that can change.

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Maybe a couple freckles here or there, but it's crazy.

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Everyone's like 1 in 8 billion and yet everyone looks so different.

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It speaks very much about to that, how our individuality and our uniqueness is untouchable.

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It shines through even in the human complexion.

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Something interesting and this all comes to mind because Raph Hirsch makes an unbelievable point in pointing out that there are a grand and really overarching thematic commandments in the Ten Commandments, from Shabbos to not killing, to believing in God, honoring parents and tucked away.

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Don't make a Shvua Shav, don't make a swear, an oath and vain.

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Not that it's an unattractive one, it just seems to be overlooked.

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And why is it here?

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Why is it a part and parcel of Ten Commandments?

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And Raph Hirsch points out that Chazal tells us that the way that one can, god forbid, violate this would be by, in one of the primary ways to say I swear, this is this, that they're the same.

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Tree is a table, or I am Johnny, I'm not.

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Gold is silver.

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They're not.

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It's a Shua Shav.

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It's useless.

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As Raph Hirsch says, it isn't by coincidence that the word here is Shav, a swearing, that you're saying this is equal to this, shava equal.

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And when you say that in Judaism, you're basically saying that there is no individuality.

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It is pointless, it is useless, because if that bird is that tree, then what's the point of these separate things?

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That's blasphemous, for everything underneath Shemayim has its own objective.

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That is unique and is not Shava to something else.

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That's the prohibition and it makes sense why it's in the Ten Commandments and it's a reminder to us of Rabbi Rukham's call that he had constantly preached, to develop your own talents, your ani, your own individuality, your unique, your different kite, because you're the only one out of all eight billion that can do what you're doing and if God forbid, you say this is this, you're saying these are Shava, these are the same, and you're just mimicking the ways of somebody else.

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Fall underneath God forbid the prohibition of this umbrella-love of making a useless and pointless Shavuash of.