(א) וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ (ב) דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (ג) כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֧ה אֶֽרֶץ־מִצְרַ֛יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשַׁבְתֶּם־בָּ֖הּ לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֑וּ וּכְמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה אֶֽרֶץ־כְּנַ֡עַן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנִי֩ מֵבִ֨יא אֶתְכֶ֥ם שָׁ֙מָּה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ וּבְחֻקֹּתֵיהֶ֖ם לֹ֥א תֵלֵֽכוּ׃ (ד) אֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֧י תַּעֲשׂ֛וּ וְאֶת־חֻקֹּתַ֥י תִּשְׁמְר֖וּ לָלֶ֣כֶת בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (ה) וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת־חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת־מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם הָאָדָ֖ם וָחַ֣י בָּהֶ֑ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃ (ס)
(1) The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: (2) Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: I the LORD am your God. (3) You shall not copy the practices of the land of Egypt where you dwelt, or of the land of Canaan to which I am taking you; nor shall you follow their laws. (4) My rules alone shall you observe, and faithfully follow My laws: I the LORD am your God. (5) You shall keep My laws and My rules, by the pursuit of which man shall live: I am the LORD.
Why is "I am the Lord your God" repeated three times in these 5 verses?
Alshikh
Moses addresses himself directly to the people, without saying, "this is what the Lord has said...", but saying, "I am the Lord..., into which I bring you," as if God Himself were speaking and thus increasing the impact.
Moses addresses himself directly to the people, without saying, "this is what the Lord has said...", but saying, "I am the Lord..., into which I bring you," as if God Himself were speaking and thus increasing the impact.
It's all about impact.
Rashi
"I am the Lord your God" -- I said on Mt. Sinai "I am the Lord your God" and you accepted my sovereignty; now accept My ordinances.
"I am the Lord your God" -- I said on Mt. Sinai "I am the Lord your God" and you accepted my sovereignty; now accept My ordinances.
It's to remind us of getting the 10 Commandments
Be'er Yitzchak
Verses 2-5 are an introduction to the chapter of forbidden relationships; because these are most abominable, the temptation is very great and the punishment very harsh....The introductory verses underline our total obligation to accept and keep God's ordinances -- "I am the Lord your God." There is a general basis, for God is the Judge and Lord of the universe -- and a particular reason, when Israel accepted God's sovereignty at Sinai, He became "your God"; therefore accept His ordinances.
Verses 2-5 are an introduction to the chapter of forbidden relationships; because these are most abominable, the temptation is very great and the punishment very harsh....The introductory verses underline our total obligation to accept and keep God's ordinances -- "I am the Lord your God." There is a general basis, for God is the Judge and Lord of the universe -- and a particular reason, when Israel accepted God's sovereignty at Sinai, He became "your God"; therefore accept His ordinances.
It speaks of the powerful nature of God and how we pledged to be obedient and now we must do it. It makes us pause and realize how our relationship with God may change if we don't follow.
Meshekh Hokhmah
Our Sages have stated that the laws of the Torah concerning natives or strangers, laymen or priests, are not beyond man's capacity, nor contrary to his nature...Thus, our Sages explained that "man has 248 limbs and organs and 365 sinews corresponding to the 248 positive and 365 negative commandments." The Lord created man, and his anatomy to harmonize with the Torah, so that the soul might lead the body along the path charted by God in His great and wonderful wisdom.
The Torah did not limit our diet beyond our capacity, nor impose sexual restrictions that would restrain reproduction or deprive the body of its needs, etc....
Hence the Torah states that there is no natural barrier to these laws, for "I am the Lord your God," i.e., I created you and know your nature and constitution. It is not difficult to restrain yourselves; it is I who bid you not to follow "the doings of the land of Egypt..." but you shall keep My statutes.... This is for your own benefit....
Our Sages have stated that the laws of the Torah concerning natives or strangers, laymen or priests, are not beyond man's capacity, nor contrary to his nature...Thus, our Sages explained that "man has 248 limbs and organs and 365 sinews corresponding to the 248 positive and 365 negative commandments." The Lord created man, and his anatomy to harmonize with the Torah, so that the soul might lead the body along the path charted by God in His great and wonderful wisdom.
The Torah did not limit our diet beyond our capacity, nor impose sexual restrictions that would restrain reproduction or deprive the body of its needs, etc....
Hence the Torah states that there is no natural barrier to these laws, for "I am the Lord your God," i.e., I created you and know your nature and constitution. It is not difficult to restrain yourselves; it is I who bid you not to follow "the doings of the land of Egypt..." but you shall keep My statutes.... This is for your own benefit....
It speaks of the individual need to accept the Divine legislation for their own benefit. We recognize the role God plays and how it will help us.
May we remember our connection to God and think of it as we go through our daily lives. May we realize that the hard things that God puts before us are supposed to be difficult and give us the opportunity to show our connection with God.