The word Shavuot means weeks. It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot.

Transcription

1 What is the Shavuot holiday? The Torah was given by G d to the Jewish people on Mount Sinai more than 3300 years ago. Every year on the holiday of Shavuot we renew our acceptance of G d s gift, and G d re-gives the Torah. The Jews accept the Torah G-d had created this world. It isn t perfect, and G-d didn t want it to be perfect, but is perfectible. He wanted man to work on making this world a better place. He needed a group of people to help him bring light and betterment to this world. He sent His angels to ask the various nations if they want the privilege and responsibility of being His partner. Each group asked what be their part in the deal. And after hearing that they would have to respect each other, or not kill, or not do other things that they really wanted to do, they one by one refused the offer. But the Jewish people thought it was a great deal. The Jews would make the world a better place. Firstly, by improving themselves and also by improving the world. G-d did us a great kindness, by creating for us a means by which to bring spirituality to the world. He arranged it so that when we fulfill a Commandment, when we study Torah, when we pray, we bring spirituality and holiness to the world and ourselves. This is a great gift from G-d. What does Shavuot mean? The word Shavuot means weeks. It marks the completion of the seven-week counting period between Passover and Shavuot. When the Jews left Egypt, they were filled with excitement. In 49 days, they were going to receive the Torah from G-d at Mt Sinai. They began to count the days. One day, two days... till they had counted seven full weeks. They had been told that fifty days after their departure from Egypt they would receive the holy Torah and they knew they had to become worthy of that Divine gift -the most wonderful thing in the world. So they impatiently counted each day, trying to better themselves every day, to improve their conduct and moral standards, to rise higher and higher as the time of the giving of the Torah drew closer. The giving of the Torah was a far-reaching spiritual event one that touched the Jewish soul for all times. Our sages have compared it to a wedding between G d and the Jewish people. Shavuot also means oaths, for on this day G d swore eternal devotion to us, and we in turn pledged everlasting loyalty to Him.

2 Who, where, and what of the Giving of the Torah WHO? G-d gave the Torah in the presence of all Israel - six hundred thousand male adults, aged 20 to 60, many more older men, and, of course, women and children, together with a multitude of other peoples (erev rav). In all there were several million living witnesses who saw the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai! Present also were all the Jewish souls who were ever to come down to live upon this earth. Every one of us then solemnly proclaimed naaseh v'nishma - we shall do and learn. Each one of us was made a party to that sacred covenant between G-d and His people Israel Where? Desert: The Torah was given in a desert. A desert is a place owned by no one particular person, everyone has access to it. So too, the Torah is accessible to all; it is our spiritual inheritance of which we may all equally partake. Mount Sinai: It was one of the humblest mountains (not outstanding in height, girth, beauty, etc.). The humility of a mountain comes to teach us people that humility is a precondition for serving G-d. On a mountain, and not on flat lands: The reason is that to G-d it would not matter if the Torah would have been given in a meadow, but in order for the Torah to be honored by people, it was only proper that it be given in an impressive place like a mountain. Also, while we avoid personal pride, pride in spiritual matters is essential. A mountain symbolizes tremendous and immovable strength. So too, the power of Torah should be constant and uncompromising. What did we get? All of the 613 mitzvot were given on that day. Ten of them, the basic ten categories of the Commandments, were written on the Two Tablets. G-d did not give Moshe the Tablets - Luchot on Har Sinai, as many people mistakenly think. G-d only spoke the Aseres Hadibros 10 commandments, and only later on, after 40 days of Moshe being in heaven, did Moshe bring the Luchos- tablets down from G-d.

3 The 10 commandments and how they apply today: 1) I am your G-d G-d, and only G-d, created and guides the world. He has done so much for me. I owe him my appreciation. 2) Do not have other gods I only put my trust in G-d. The focus of my life should G-d and his Torah. I do not worship money, fame, fashion, trends, or the like. 3) Do not use G-d s name in vain I use words carefully. G-d s name is holy, I must make sure not to use it falsely or unnecessarily. 4) Keep Shabbat holy G-d is my provider. All work that I do is secondary to my belief in G-d. I set aside certain days of the week and year to rest, pray and think about my relationship with G-d. 5) Honor your parents I respect and honor my parents and elders. I appreciate all they do for me. I learn a lot from them. 6) Do not murder I should not embarrass, insult, or hurt anyone in any way. We are all created in the image of G-d. I do not do anything that may bring danger to another person. 7) Do not act unfaithfully in marriage I am trustworthy, and loyal to my family and friends. 8) Do not steal I respect the property and rights of others. I value their freedom, choices, time and privacy. 9) Do not lie I am always honest and truthful 10) Do not want other people s things I am happy and satisfied with all I have, and who I am.

4 What is the Torah? The Torah is composed of two parts: the Written Law and the Oral Law. The written Torah contains the Five Books of Moses, the Prophets and the Writings. Together with the Written Torah, Moses was also given the Oral Law, which explains and clarifies the Written Law. It was transmitted orally from generation to generation, and eventually transcribed in the Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, and the entire corpus of Torah literature that was developed over the millennia. The word Torah means instruction or guide. The Torah guides our every step and move through its 613 mitzvahs. The word mitzvah means both commandment and connection. Through the study of Torah and fulfillment of mitzvahs, we connect ourselves and our environment to G-d. G-d s purpose in creating the world is that we sanctify all of creation, imbuing it with holiness and spirituality. On the holiday of Shavuot, the entire Jewish nation heard from G-d the Ten Commandments. The next day Moses went up to Mount Sinai, where he was taught by G-d the rest of the Torah both the Written and Oral Laws which he then transmitted to the entire nation.

5 Laws and customs of Shavuot: The All-nighter: On the first night of Shavuot (this year, Tuesday night, May 14, 2013), Jews throughout the world observe the centuries-old custom of conducting an all-night vigil dedicated to Torah learning and preparation for receiving the Torah anew the next morning. One explanation for this tradition is that the Jewish people did not rise early on the day G-d gave the Torah, and it was necessary for G-d Himself to awaken them. To compensate for their behavior, Jews have accepted upon themselves the custom of remaining awake all night. Take in the 10 Commandments Shavuot is the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. Every year, on the same date of the giving of the Torah, we celebrate this special day, by going to the synagogue and hearing the Ten Commandments. This year, on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, go to your local synagogue to hear the Ten Commandments and reaffirm the covenant with G-d and His Torah. Since we all stood at Mount Sinai, we must all reaffirm our commitment. Babies, young children, the elderly, all that are able should attend. The Book of Ruth: Eating Dairy Foods The Book of Ruth is recited as part of the program of study for Shavuot night. Additionally, in many synagogues it is read publicly on the second day of Shavuot. There are several reasons for this custom: 1. Shavuot is the birthday and the day of passing of King David. Ruth and her husband Boaz were King David s great-grandparents. 2. The scenes of harvesting described in the book of Ruth are appropriate to the Festival of Harvest. 3. Ruth was a sincere convert who embraced Judaism with all her heart. On Shavuot all Jews were converts having accepted the Torah and all of its precepts. It is customary to eat dairy foods on the first day of Shavuot. Here is why : With the giving of the Torah, the Jews became obligated to observe the kosher laws. As the Torah was given on Shabbat, no cattle could be slaughtered nor could utensils be koshered, and therefore on that day they ate dairy. Go Green Since Shavuot is also called the Harvest Festival, it is customary to adorn the home and synagogue with fruits, flowers and greens. Furthermore, our Sages relate that although Mount Sinai was situated in a desert, when the Torah was given the mountain bloomed and sprouted flowers