Holy Days

Holy Days Archives

Shvuos This coming Sunday evening and Monday (and outside of Israel, also Tuesday) is Shvuos, the holiday celebrating receiving the Torah from G-d on Mt. Sinai. Holidays are not just commemorations of historic occurrences; they are actual milestones, step-ups, in our annual spiritual growth. Where Pesach is our birthday as a nation and freedom from our physical and spiritual limitations, Shvuos is our being chosen by G-d as His people and being given the spiritual path to maximize our potential. Part of the coming redemption will be a higher level of spiritual awareness, as the Rambam says, 'that knowledge of G-d will fill the world like water fills the sea'. Each holiday spiritually elevates us and is therefore connected to the redemption. As a holiday approaches, you can almost feel Moshiach in the air. Being that Shvuos is only a day (or two), we must understand how to fully prepare for the holiday, act during it, and which results to achieve from it. In a talk from the eve of Shvuos, 1987, the Rebbe wished each of us that our spiritual preparations for receiving the Torah be done in an absolute way. What does this mean? While the actual receiving of the Torah is dependent on G-d's giving it, the preparations to receive the Torah are totally dependent on the actions and efforts of the Jewish people. If some reluctance exists, an extra effort must be made. We may need to ferret out the conscious (or sometimes unconscious) contradictions to Torah that are hidden in our minds. This refers to how much Judaism we allow into our lives. This type of mindset does not come from our G-dly soul, but is imposed upon us by the world around us. Again, proper preparation depends upon our efforts. Something of value cannot be had without significant effort. Sunday night, the eve of Shvuos, is particularly crucial because it is connected to the single most important preparatory jump of consciousness required to receive the Torah. This is when the Jewish nation declared that we would first accept and do the commandments, before understanding them-'na'aseh v'nishma'. Each minute of Shvuos increases our strength and elevates us to a higher level, first in our ability to "do" the commandments, then in our ability to "understand" them, and finally in our ability to precede the doing before the understanding. How much we are prepared to fulfill the 'doing' before the 'hearing' is an indication of how well we will receive the Torah with joy and internalize it. What about results? Results are not attained through passivity. Rather, as in a golf or tennis swing, without the follow-through, a ball will most certainly not go straight on its course. A scholar I met asked 'Why is it that Shvuos, as opposed to all the other holidays, does not have a specific calendar date? The Torah only says that Shvuos is 50 days after Pesach.' He answered that while Shvuos is the holiday of receiving the Torah, a Jew is supposed to receive the Torah anew every day. And this ability comes from Shvuos. This new awareness will lead to properly define our relationship to G-d. Rabbi Naftali Estulin of Los Angeles asked 'how could the golden calf come on the heels of the giving of the Torah? All of the Jewish people just heard the lightning and saw the thunder-miraculous, supernatural occurrences. How was it possible for them to have anything to do with an idol?!' Rabbi Estulin answered that the Jews were too patient! They should have demanded receiving the entire Torah immediately, at Mt. Sinai. That they were prepared to wait to hear it from Moshe in another 40 days is what let in the evil influence. We should come out of Shvuos, impatient, wanting the whole Torah-how much longer do we have to wait? You do not need to own a library to learn Torah today. Every major city has a telephone service so that you can listen to Torah, or a library from which you can borrow tapes. Only effort is required to have quality lessons. Decide now that you are going to add Torah learning to your life and follow through with it. That is results. Many communities have the custom of learning Torah the entire night of Shvuos (1st night only). Don't just stay up. Maximize the time. Make certain in advance you have the right classes or individuals to learn with, and the texts you need, to help you make the appropriate preparations for Shvuos. The actual moment of revelation will be when the Ten Commandments are read Monday morning. It is important that everyone who can-men, women, and children-come to synagogue and hear them read. It should be the will of the Almighty that Shvuos will instill in all of us a closer connection to the Torah. And through this we will hasten the true and final redemption that will include the uniting of all Jews, our ingathering in Israel, and the rebuilding of the third Temple! Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach, Shaul Leiter

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