B"H
Tuesday, Iyar 29, 5785 (44th day of the Omer) / May 27, 2025
With this week’s Parsha, Bamidbar, we begin the fourth Book of the Torah. This Parsha is read always on the Shabbat before the holiday of Shavuot, when we celebrate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Shavuot is in one week, beginning next Sunday night, June 1, through Monday, June 2. In the Diaspora we celebrate the holiday for two days, thus Tuesday, June 3rd, is also celebrated.
The Parsha begins with the count of the Jewish people in the Sinai desert. All men between the ages of 20 to 60 were counted and they totaled 603,550. We read this Parsha on the Shabbat before the holiday of Shavuot, to emphasize that every Jew is counted equal. The simple Jew was equal to the greatest scholar. Each one was counted as one. This teaches us that when it comes to Torah, we are all equal andevery Jew has their share in the Torah.
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. However, Shavuot has no date mentioned. It is identified in the Torah as on the 50th day after counting seven weeks from the second day Pesach. In preparation for Shavuot, we perform the mitzvah of counting the Omer for seven complete weeks.
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. The Torah should not be viewed as something which we received on a specific day thousands of years ago. We must cherish it as it is NEW every day.
The study of Torah comes with effort. 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 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 asked for 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," did G-d immediately accept and agreed to give them the Torah. Giving our children a Jewish education from a very early age is essential to our 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 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. However, if all you want is for them to study, then they too, will want someone else to study Torah…”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY
OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW