Was the Torah Originally Intended for All Humanity?
by Ram ben Ze'ev In מסכת שבת (Masekhet Shabbat) 89a, the sages record a striking scene between the heavenly angels and משה רבינו (Moshe Rabbeinu). When Moshe ascends to receive the תורה (Torah), the angels protest, questioning why the most sacred gift of Divine wisdom should be given to flesh and blood. The response: "In reward for the fact that they called you man, you are not an angel and the Torah is applicable to you." At first glance, this line appears to reinforce the chosenness of עם...
