YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Shabbat and Holidays
- Shavuot
- Articles about Shavuot
The Torah study is dedicatedto the full recovery of
Yehudah ben Hadasah Hinde Malka
The shocking but textually apparent conclusion that Abarbanel and some other commentators take is that Shavuot is actually not a holiday whose point is to commemorate the giving the Torah (although we mention it in tefilla and laining). This is not to say that it is not important to remember that miraculous and formative event. In fact, the Torah requires preserving the collective memories and forbids forgetting them (Devarim 4: 9-10; see Ramban, ad loc.). But on Shavuot, that is not the stress, just as on Rosh Hashana, we do not stress the anniversary of the creation of the world.
The question remains why we would not stress these crucial ideas? The Akeidat Yitzchak says two complementary ideas. The first boils down to the fact that the matter of the giving of the Torah is so basic that there is no separate mitzva to contemplate and commemorate it. He continues with a second idea that the giving of the Torah is to be considered an ongoing event, not one that we see as a one-time historical occurrence.
It is interesting to note that the p’sukim that we referred to before (about remembering the giving of the Torah) are applied by Chazal not to the event but to the words of Torah that we personally learn (see Avot 3:8 and Berachot 22a). We are supposed to learn Torah in such a manner that it is a continuation of that sacred encounter. Apparently, if too much explicit stress would be put on the one event, we might not see our involvement in the study as a continuation of the process that only began on Har Sinai.
Various Rabbis
Various Rabbis including those of of Yeshivat Bet El, such as Rabbi Chaim Katz, Rabbi Binyamin Bamberger and Rabbi Yitzchak Greenblat and others.
Moreshet Shaul Moreshet Shaul: A Crown and its Scepter – part II
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 294-5
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
