Chapter I

אין הקב״ה בא בטרוניא עם בריותיו

"G-d does not make tyrannical and unreasonable demands of
His creatures."1

The Midrash assures us2 that "G-d does not make matters difficult for His creatures; He expects a person to perform according to his capacity. He demonstrated this when He gave us the Torah. Had He come upon Israel with the full might of His strength, we would not have been able to withstand it, as it is written:3 'If we continue to hear [the voice of the L-rd our G-d] any more, then we shall die.' This is the meaning of the verse4 'The voice of the L-rd resounds with might.' It does not say "with His might," but "with might" according to the might of each individual."

So it is clear that we have the capacity to perform the Torah and mitzvos given to us. This is so even though performing mitzvos with proper reverence may require great effort.

Torah and mitzvos refine a person, as the Midrash states:5 "G-d gave mitzvos to refine the creatures." This is in addition to the fact that every mitzvah has a special intent. For example, the intent of the mitzvah of mezuzah is that a Jew's dwelling and all therein thereby become connected to G-dliness. The intent of the mitzvah of challah6 is to encourage us to share with those who serve G-d. And so it is that every mitzvah has a specific purpose. Yet in addition to its own special intent, each mitzvah has a unique ability to refine a person. Though this requires great effort, Torah and mitzvos were given to the Jewish people, and not to angels.

Indeed, the angels asked G-d to give them the Torah, as it is written:7 "Give Your splendor to [those dwelling in] the heavens." But G-d did not give them the Torah. He chose to give it specifically to us, the Jewish nation. This is alluded to in the verse:8 "I have made the earth, and created man upon it borosi." G-d created the earth for the sake of man, who in turn was created because of borosi, to perform the 613 mitzvos. The numerical equivalent of the Hebrew word בראתי (borosi) is 613.

In summary: G-d requires each person to perform only according to his capacity. Torah and mitzvos refine a person. G-d gave the Torah only to Jews, and not to angels.