Dr. Chaim Y. Botwinick
The Torah states that in the third month after Israel departed Egypt, on
this day, they came to the wilderness of Sinai (Shemot 19:1).
Our commentators write that the words on this day, refers to on the
first day of (the month of) Sivan they encamped in the wilderness of
Sinai, as they prepared to receive the Torah.
In describing this encampment of bnai yisrael, the Torah states that
they encamped before the mountain using the singular form of the
word encamped.
This suggests, according to many commentaries that unlike other
encampments, this particular encampment of bnai yisrael was
compared to ish echad, blev ehad, like one person with one heart – truly
a remarkable state of being and state of achdut following generations
of slavery and hard labor in Egypt.
This state of ish echad, blev echad is an amazing phenomenon which is
referenced and sought after throughout our history.
As we are about to observe and celebrate Chag Shavuot, we are
reminded that prior to being given the Torah at Har Sinai, we traveled
aimlessly throughout the midbar. But according to chazal, this journey
was for a specific reason and purpose…it was part of a grand pre
destined plan – namely for the bnai yisroel to be given the Torah and to
accept the Torah as their guide, road map and eternal moral compass.
Although most commentators view Chag Shavuot as a time of matan
torataynu, the giving of the Torah, there are those who view the Chag
as a time of receiving the Torah.
The difference between giving of the Torah and receiving the Torah
may not necessarily be semantic; nor are the differences totally
nuanced to envision the same meaning. They in fact have two distinct
meanings, as described by the great Kotzker Rebbe z”l.
It is reported that the Kotzker stated that the bnai yisrael were actually
given the Torah on Har Sinai. But receiving it on the other hand
requires a different level of commitment, obligation and understanding.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller of blessed memory, once said in his Shavuot
drasha, that one can always be given precious and meaningful gifts.
But, what we actually do with these precious gifts, is a totally different
challenge. Translation: we are given the most precious and valued gift
imaginable to mankind – the Torah. The challenge however is solely
dependent upon our understating of why and how it was given to us;
and how we accepted it? How are the Torah’s teachings, laws and
precepts are integrated into our way of life? And finally, what is our
responsibility to ensure and perpetuate the importance and kedusha of
the Torah today for future generations.
As one of the three shalosh regalim, (pilgrim festivals), on Shavuot,
many of us spend the entire night learning Torah in order to
commemorate the Chag. We also decorate our homes, batei midrashim
and synagogues with beautiful bright flowers and vegetation in order to
remember the harvest season and that Matan Torah took place on a
mountain with an abundance of sweet aromatic flowers and greenery.
On Shavuot, we read Megillat Ruth for a variety of reasons including
commemoration of the barley harvest, the unwavering loyalty between
people, and the conversion of Ruth which is seen as a parallel to the
Jewish people’s acceptance of the Torah at Sinai.
The holiday of Shavuot also sets into motion the importance of the
mesorah for the Jewish people – an essential manifestation regarding
the importance of chinuch – Jewish education.
This glorious and powerful relationship and understanding all began on
Har Sinai; and it continues to this very day.
Finally, it is important to note that the covenantal relationship between
am yisrael and HaShem, is the result in large measure of the revelation
on Har Sinai. A bond between our people and HaShem which is
everlasting and anchored in bitachon, emunah, mitzvot and achdut. It is
a relationship which is also deeply anchored in bein adam lechavero
Reflecting on the significance of Chag Shavuot, one cannot help but
understand, realize and appreciate how the Torah we were given,
received and accepted on Har Sinai has kept us together as a people
and as a nation. It is the everlasting bond between our people and
between our people and HaShem. To be sure, it not only kept us
together physically, but also spiritually.
This my friends must be viewed as a gift (matana) of priceless value.
A story is told of a Rebbe who asked his students – “what is more
valued, giving one a gift or accepting a gift from another”?
After thinking about an appropriate response to the Rebbe’s question,
the students all agreed that “they are both equally valued, but it all
depends upon the recipient’s state of mind and the giver’s intention”.
After this brief exchange, the Rebbe proceeded to draw a beautiful
parallel to Chag Shavuos.
He explained that when a person receives a gift, he is normally thankful
and grateful. But if the gift is imbued with deep and perpetual love and
unswerving commitment, it takes on a more significant meaning for the
recipient.
Hashem’s gift to the b’nai yisrael on Har Sinai was not just a gift like the
manna which HaShem gave bnai yisrael in the midbar. It was a gift
with guiding moral principlss, laws, commandments and a way of life,
thereby offering the bnai yisrael a new path and trajectory forward
into the future.
Friends, at the end of the day, we observe and celebrate Shavuot
through these realities.
It makes no difference whether the Torah was given to us or if we
received it, with the proviso that we all know that by accepting it we
agree to follow it through commitment and obligation.
By the same token, the reason it was given to us, should be very
obvious and apparent.
A Final Thought…..
As we approach Chag Shavuot, we hope and pray with all of our hearts
for the end to the hostilities between Israel and Iran as well as with
Hezbollah.
Almost a year ago, we were all praying for the release of our dear
hostages, being held captive by Hamas. Baruch HaShem, they were al
released
Today, we are mitpallel for the end to the war.
At the time of this writing, we are all still uncertain as to what lies
ahead of us. At best, we continue to recite tehillim, learn torah, engage
in mitzvot and chesed as we hope their safe and peaceful resolution to
today’s conflict.
Shavuot teaches us that we must always answer to a much higher
authority, irrespective of circumstance. This authority is anchored in
Torah ideals, emunah and bitachon and one which will help guarantee
the geula.
May we all be blessed with bracha and good fortune in order to
celebrate the giving and receiving of our most cherished possession
–the Torah.
Chag Shavuot Sameach
Dr. Chaim Botwinick is a senior executive coach and an organizational
consultant. He served as president and CEO of the central agency for
Jewish education in Baltimore and Miami; in addition to master
teacher, head of school and principal for several day schools and
yeshivot. As an influencer in education, he has published and lectured
extensively on topics relating to education, strategic planning, resource
development and leadership training. He is co-founder of LEV
Consulting Associates and creator/host of the Chinuch Horizons
podcast series. Dr. Botwinick is Author of Think Excellence, Brown
Books, 2011.
