B"H

Wednesday, Iyar 28, 5784 / June 5, 2024 (43rd day of the Omer)

In exactly one week we will celebrate the holiday of Shavuot – when we received the Torah at Mount Sinai, in the Sinai Desert.  

The Giving of the Torah took place seven weeks after the Exodus from Egypt. This is why we count the Omer each night for seven weeks between Pesach and Shavuot, in preparation for the holiday of Shavuot, just as the Jewish people did when they came out of Egypt. Only after this preparation period were they ready for this special event of acquiring the Torah at Mount Sinai.    

Q. Was Mount Sinai, on which the Torah was given, a tall mountain?

A. Our sages tell us that Mount Sinai was one of the smallest amongst the mountains.

Q.Why did G-d choose to give the Torah at Mount Sinai and not on one of the taller mountains, as befitting for such a great event?

A.Our sages tell us that indeed the higher and taller mountains figured that G-d will choose to give the Torah on them. However, G-d chose Mount Sinai, for the very fact that it is not a tall mountain. G-d wanted to teach the Jewish people that Torah cannot be acquired when one feels tall and haughty. Only through humility and modesty can one merit acquiring and absorbing the depth of the knowledge of Torah, like Mount Sinai, the mountain on which the Torah was given.

Lesson: Humility and Torah go hand in hand.

Q. Why then did G-d choose to give the Torah on a mountain? He should have given it on a flat area?

A.Mount Sinai teaches us another important lesson. When coming to learn Torah one may encounter obstacles. Good things do not come easy. G-d wants us to make an effort to study Torah and observe the mitzvot. Mount Sinai teaches us that a person must know that when coming to perform G-d’s commandments they will encounter a mountain of obstacles – whether from within or from without.

But Mount Sinai is a small mountain. Mount Sinai is a manageable mountain. It is climbable. It teaches us that, yes, one has to put effort into it, one has to climb the spiritual mountain, yet,it is within reach of everyone who decides to make the effort.

Our sages say that G-d does not demand of us something which we cannot handle. If He commands us to study Torah and perform the mitzvot, He also gives us the ability to accomplish it.

All we need to do is believe this and make the effort to study Torah and perform the mitzvot. G-d will then help us overcome all obstacles and accomplish this.

HAVE A GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND VERY SUCCESSFUL DAY

UNITED WE STAND WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY. MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW.