704. Why Was the Torah Given to Israel

“Why was the Torah given to Israel? Because they are fierce.” RASHI interpreted, because Israel are fierce, they were given the Torah, which wanes the strength and subdues their hearts (Masechet Beitza 25).

We should understand the following:

1) This implies that the Torah was not given to the nations of the world because they are not fierce, and therefore have no need for the Torah.

2) After the Torah, they will no longer be on the same degree as the nations of the world.

We should say that “foreigner” means working for oneself, and “Israel” means that one is serving the Creator. When one wants to be Israel, he sees that he is fierce in both attributes and views, which are fiercely against the Kedusha [holiness]. This is why they were given the Torah.

But one who works for his own benefit is regarded as a foreigner. At that time, his attributes are not against the Kedusha and are not fierce, so they have no need for the Torah, which wanes their strength, meaning the power of lusts. “Subdues their hearts” means that all the desires surrender before the Kedusha because the light of the Torah reforms him, and then he feels the greatness of the Creator and receives the strength to subdue his qualities.

But when one works for oneself, he cannot see that he has bad attributes and views because for one’s own sake, the body gives strength to work and does not show him any lack in the work.