Dvar Torah for Parshat Yitro

"The Jews encamped around the mountain" (Exodus 19:2).

From what is the Torah written? On white fire, with black fire (Tanchuma, Bereishis 1).

When the Jewish people left Egypt they didn't just march to Mount Sinai and receive the Torah. They had to prepare themselves, and they did. For 49 days they took stock to see what was right with themselves and could be improved, and what was in need of serious fixing.

One thing they realized was that the yetzer hara (evil urge, evil
inclination) can be used not only as an impetus for sin, but for mitzvot as well.

Black fire -- the fire of the yetzer hara -- can be and must be used to write on the white fire of the yetzer tov, the good inclination. Without the black fire, the white fire is blank, devoid of any Divine message telling us what we can. With white fire alone the Torah cannot be written.

The giving of the Torah must take place every day of your life (Rashi on Exodus 19:1). You need to take the time every day to correct your self, to make sure the black fire will create rather than destroy. Reb Noson writes that by studying the teachings of the tzaddik with an open mind, and by being willing to follow their guidance, you can harness your black fire to your white fire to become a living Torah.

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!