B"H

Monday, Iyar 22, 5779 / May 26, 2019 (37th day of the Omer)

In two weeks, Sunday & Monday, June 9 & 10, we will be celebrating the holiday of Shavuot. This holiday commemorates G-d's giving the Torah to the Jewish people.  As with most biblical holidays, Jews in Israel celebrate one day of Shavuot, while Jews living outside Israel celebrate two days.

Q. Why is this holiday called "Shavuot"?

A. "Shavuot" in Hebrew means "weeks". Shavuot is celebrated after counting the Omer each night, from the second day Pesach, for a period of seven weeks. Hence, the name Shavuot - weeks.

Shavuot also comes from the word "Shvua" - "swearing." At the Giving of the Torah, G-d and the Jewish people exchanged vows.  The people of Israel swore that they will follow the Torah and will not exchange G-d for any other Gods.  G-d in turn vowed that He will not exchange the people of Israel for any other nation.

Regarding the Torah and Mitzvot, the Talmudic sage, Rabbi Chanania ben Akashia says, "The Holy One, blessed is He, wished to confer merit upon Israel; therefore He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance."  The Torah contains 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commandments.   

While the general translation for the word "mitzvah" is commandment, there is a deeper meaning to the word mitzvah.

Mitzvah also means connection.  The commandments are called mitzvot because through performing these mitzvot we connect to G-d. 

The more mitzvot we observe, the stronger our connection with G-d. If, at times, we fail to observe a particular mitzvah, we are still connected through the many other mitzvot we fulfill.  This is what Rabbi Chanania ben Akashia means, that by giving us many mitzvot, we merit a greater connection to G-d and guaranteed not to sever our relationship with G-d.

A person went to the post office to mail a package.  The clerk weighed the package, then turned to the person and said, "This package is too heavy. You have to add more stamps."

"I don't understand," said the man. "If I put more stamps on the package, it will be even heavier!"

Similarly, one who complains that the Torah and mitzvot are burdensome does not understand their purpose or value.  To relate to and connect with Hashem properly, we need the right "postage". 

Torah and mitzvot are that vehicle.  By learning Torah and performing mitzvot, we connect with G-d and as a result receive Hashem's abundant blessings in return.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY