When Moses ascended on High to receive the Torah, the ministering angels said before the Holy One, Blessed be He, “Master of the Universe, what is one born of a woman doing here among us?” The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them, “He came to receive the Torah.” The angels said before Him, “You seek to give it to flesh and blood?” The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses, “Provide them with an answer as to why the Torah should be given to the people.” (Shabbos 88b)

As per Shabbos 88b, the angels did not want Moshe Rabbeinu to have the Torah. At Hashem’s command, Moshe turned to the angels and responded, “The Torah states that G-d took us out of Egypt. You weren’t enslaved in Egypt, are not surrounded by idol worshipers, aren’t involved in physical work to rest on Shabbos, nor do you have parents to honor, etc. In fact, you have no evil inclination. So it must be that the Torah is for us!”

However, the angels were also aware that the physical commandments weren’t relevant to them, so it must be that they wanted the spiritual aspect of the Torah. In that case, how was Moshe’s response so convincing to the angels?

A parable from the Ben Ish Chai explains this. A rich man sent his two sons to a faraway land in order that they should develop into independent and savvy individuals. When the brothers seemingly reached this stage, the father sent a present of a beautiful garment with diamonds in the pockets. Both brothers understood that the diamonds and the garment were supposed to stay together. Unfortunately, a bitter argument ensued between the brothers as to who was the intended recipient of this present. The dispute ended up in court, where the first brother claimed, “I have no doubt that the garment and coat was meant for me” and he presented correspondence in which his father stated that he was satisfied with his progress. “Therefore, it is a foregone conclusion that the coat and the diamonds belong to me.” The second brother didn’t have any correspondence from his father, “But I have a better proof. It is obvious that if my father just wanted to send the diamonds, he could have put them in a box and sent them. He obviously wanted someone to have the diamonds with the coat. I suggest we see who the coat fits!” The coat didn’t fit the tall first brother, but it perfectly fit the short and stout second brother. The previous conclusion was reversed. Similarly for the Torah – if the physical aspect fits humans, it proves they are the intended recipients.

I would like to add the following: Why didn’t the father just specify the intended recipient of the coat and jewels, thereby preventing this argument? Let us look back at what transpired. By the second brother using his business acumen, imagination, and resources to make his case, he showed that he had improved his own skills far more than his brother, and was therefore the more fitting recipient of the present.

So too, when Hashem said, “Moshe you answer the question!” instead of just saying straight out, “I want the Torah to go to the Jews!” it enabled Moshe to show the angels an aspect of Klal Yisroel’s superiority over the angels.

During a rain-drenched funeral, the grave filled with water before the coffin could be lowered in. Halacha is clear that one is not allowed to bury someone in such a disgraceful condition, and as the rain was not letting up, it was clear that they would have the same problem if they dug a new grave. While everyone just stood around without a solution, one man left the crowd, returned a few minutes later with a pump and a generator, and quickly drained the grave so that the deceased could be buried honorably. “Where did you get the pump and generator?” asked the others. “You have to keep your eyes open! I noticed that there was a building construction site across the road and figured that they must have such equipment. Indeed, there was, and they let me borrow it.” This was not a miracle with an angel sent from heaven, rather a human being applying his full abilities.

I believe that this idea is a point of inspiration for all those who learn or are involved in doing mitzvos. When we find ourselves at an impasse, some of us look for a crutch to help us out. It may be an ArtScoll Gemora or a Mesivta, or even just asking the fellow next to you. Really, our first obligation is to show our resourcefulness because with that, we merited to receive the Torah. This means we need to first sit on the question, contemplate it, and try on our own to come to a point of clarity.