Parshat Yitro: Mount Sinai
by Rabbi Lobel

G-d revealed himself in front of the whole nation of Israel with the words, “I am the Lord your G-d who took you out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2)

The Kli Yakar asks, Why didn't G-d say instead, “I am the Lord your G-d who created the world.”

The Kli Yakar (1550 - 1619; 29:2) explains with a famous expression, “If you want to tell a lie, have your witnesses live far away.” The Jewish people did not witness creation. G-d declared his sovereignty with the exodus of Egypt because that is what the Israelites witnessed.

If the Children of Israel had just witnessed all the miracles in Egypt and at the Red Sea, why would that not be sufficient to believe G-d if He would say, “I created the world.” Furthermore, the Medrash Rabba (30 CE-200CE; 29) explains that at Mount Sinai G-d opened up all the heavens, universes, and galaxies to show Israel that He was sovereign leader of the world. If so, Israel would be easily persuaded that He also created the world?

Even though G-d's authenticity would have never been questioned, Judaism is based on knowledge and not faith. G-d proved his sovereignty based on the knowledge of the eyewitnesses of three million people. Those three million people only witnessed the Exodus and not creation. G-d focused on the Exodus, proving his sovereignty from there because knowledge is ten-fold stronger than faith. This is true even if the faith comes directly from G-d.