Shavuot

Parasha Thoughts

By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov

Every morning we bless Hashem for giving us the Torah. Torah is the source of all blessings. In fact, the Torah was created before the Almighty created the world to demonstrate that life without Torah is empty and void of any blessings. Shavuot is the holiday of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. By the burning bush, Hashem commanded Moshe to go to Egypt to save the Jewish nation so that Beni Yisrael would receive the Torah 50 days after their exodus from Egypt. Rambam states the main proof of the truth of Judaism – and what  differentiates us from other nations – is the fact that all of Beni Yisrael witnessed and heard the Almighty themselves, and not through a story or by the testimony of a human being.

On Shavuot, Hashem gave ten commandments orally and then called Moshe to go up the mountain. Everyone heard G-d speaking to Moshe. No other nation in the world can claim that they heard Hashem talking to a prophet except Beni Yisrael.

Every Shavuot we commemorate receiving the Torah by staying up all night and learning Torah. We thank Hashem for choosing us as the recipients of his Torah.

On behalf of the Yachad Rabbis, I wish you and your family a happy and meaningful Shavuot.

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