B"H
Monday, Iyar 29, 5782 (44th day of the Omer)/ May 30, 2022
The holiday of Shavuot, when we celebrate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai, will begin Saturday night, June 4. In the Diaspora two days are celebrated (Sunday & Monday). In Israel only one day (Sunday) is celebrated.
Shavuot means weeks. Shavuot is different than all other holidays. Every holiday is identified in the Torah by a specific date in the Hebrew calendar. But Shavuot has no specific date mentioned. It is identified in the Torah as being seven weeks from the second day Pesach. Thus we count 49 days of the Omer and celebrate Shavuot on the 50th day. Counting the Omer is a preparation for Shavuot.
Q. Why doesn’t the Torah give a specific date for the holiday of Shavuot?
A. Although the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai was a one-time event which took place on a specific date, yet, the Torah tells us that we have to remember the Giving of the Torah each day.
In other words, the Torah should not be viewed as something which we received on a specific day thousands of years ago. We must cherish it as new every day. The lesson is that every day should be viewd as we received the Torah on that day anew. We view the Torah and mitzvot not only as given to our forefathers thousands of years ago, but as if G-d gave it to us in the present as new each day.
The study of Torah comes with effort and then we are guaranteed to succeed. The Talmudic sage Rabbi Yitzchak says, "If a person tells you, I have made an effort in the study of Torah, but I have not succeeded, do not believe him. If a person tells you, I didn't make any effort and I have succeeded, do not believe him. When a person tells you, I have made an effort and I have succeeded, believe him!"
Children played a very important role in the Giving of the Torah. Our Sages say that before G-d gave the Torah to the Jewish people, He demanded guarantors that the Torah will be studied and cherished.
Jews made a number of suggestions which were rejected by G-d. Only when they declared, "Our children will be our guarantors," G-d immediately accepted and agreed to give them the Torah. Giving our children a Jewish education from a very early age is essential to Jewish survival.
Someone once asked the Rebbe of Kotzk for a blessing that his children should have a desire and love for the study of Torah.
The Rebbe replied: ``Children will emulate their parents. If your children will see your love for studying Torah and will observe you learning Torah regularly, they too will study Torah regularly. But if all you want is for them to study, without committing yourself to Torah.. then they too, will want someone else to study Torah…``
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY