by Rav Mordechai Greenberg, yeshiva.org.il, translated by Hillel Fendel
The Torah uplifts us and raises up our natural ethical character – but does not replace it.
It was at the historic Stand at Mt. Sinai that we were first informed that, via our acceptance and receiving of the Torah, we were destined to become a "treasured nation," G-d's am segulah. This message is a central part of our festival prayers: "Atah v'chartanu, You chose us from among all the nations… and raised us up from among all the tongues."
