YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Jewish Holidays
- Shavuot
- Torah Portion and Tanach
- Bamidbar
- Naso
But it is often difficult to commemorate an event without having a special commandment or ritual associated with the holiday. Anniversaries of great events are not necessarily meaningful in the absence of special ritual or public programs. And the holiday of Shavuot did not provide us with any such commemorative program. As such, we are left with a certain feeling of frustration, a lack of true appreciation of the greatness of the day, and the eternal message of the holiday.
Naturally, customs have arisen that are associated with the day of Shavuot, that blend tradition and ‘halacha.’ Nevertheless, in the minds and hearts of Jewish people, eating dairy foods does not equal the crackling taste of Matzo or sitting in a Sukkah.
Since the Torah does not allow for randomness or lapses of memory or vision, as is generally the case with human beings, we must conclude that the structuring of the holiday of Shavuot was done purposely and with holy intent. The Torah never intended the holiday to be purely an anniversary or commemorative date of revelation, such as on Independence Day. Rather, it left the commemoration of the granting of the Torah at Mount Sinai as an open-ended type of celebration.
In other words, the Jewish people could make of it what they wish it to be. This reflects generally on the Torah itself. The study in pursuit of Torah knowledge is purposely left open-ended. It has no limits, and is not bound by time and culture, but is eternal and universal. Every generation and every Jew can add additional insight and knowledge to the existing compendium of Torah knowledge and study that has come before.
Even though the Mishna and the Talmud have long been edited many centuries ago, they are still studied in the world of the yeshiva in a manner that encourages new insights and new explanations, possible different analyses, and the encouragement of the development of the mind and creativity of the individual student. Therefore, the study of Torah is compared to an ever-gushing fountain of water that always provides new water to quench the thirst of different generations and even of different cultures.
As such, every day of the year, every time a Jew is engaged in the study of Torah, that moment becomes a new anniversary of the day of the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Most anniversaries and dates of commemoration are limited to one event and one date alone, with a regular routine the rest of the time. However, Shavuot is a never-ending holiday, even though it is celebrated only one day of the year on the Jewish calendar.
Though we do not deny the desire of Jews, if they wish, to eat Matzo or sit in a Sukkah during the entire year, it is obvious that we do not do so, and that, in fact, we are prevented from doing so, for we are taught that one is not allowed to add to the Torah, just as one is not allowed to detract from a Torah commandment. We are commanded to study Torah every day of our lives, and not only on the day of its anniversary.
The Torah apparently wanted us to feel unfulfilled when the holiday of Shavuot passed, because in that vague feeling of unfulfillment lies the drive to continue the study and pursue of the knowledge of God and the holiness of Creation. Torah is referred to in our prayers as being the length of our entire day. Just as in many matters in life, we remain somewhat unfulfilled, and continue to try to achieve what we feel to be still lacking. So, too, does Torah demand of us to stretch our days, to make them warm and certainly more meaningful.
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 3
The second speaker invited to convince the Khazar King is the Christian, who presents their beliefs. Even before the questions of the King, "between the lines", the author R. Yehuda HaLevi already begins disproving them.
Ein Aya "Intimacy: Love, Life & Giving or Egocentric Taking & Expiration"
Today, many confuse between intimacy in marriage, based on love, giving and life which are diametrically opposed to empty "sex", pornography and prostitution which destroyed the Beit HaMikdash. The practical importance of clarifying this topic in today's western society is obvious, especially for young adults.