Rabbi's Message

Shavuot more than any other Yom Tov, the Sfas Emes observes, is identified with many different names. It is the Zman Matan Toratenu for it marks the greatest event in the annals of history, the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. It is that wondrous event that is and will always be the raison d'etre, the purpose for being for all existence.

It is a day called Yom Habikurim, the day of first fruits, during the Bait Hamikdash we would fulfill that most precious and joyous mitzvah of bringing the Bikurim and expressing thanksgiving, for the miracle of Jewish existence and survival throughout history and the eternal gift of the Land of Israel.

It is the day that our Chachamim, our Sages, most frequently refer to in the mishnah as Atzeret, for they recognized the ingathering of blessing and the wealth that is the Otzer, the treasure of our lives, the Torah that we were given to guide us.

In addition the Torah refers to that day as the Yom Hakahal (Shoftim 18:16), the day of congregational unity. It was on that wondrous day that we stood on Har Sinai with total unity, Achdut, dedicating our hearts as one to the service of Hashem and to each other, K'ish Echad B'lev Echad, as one man with one heart. This was and will always be the prerequisite that was and is needed to open the heavens with its blessings.

Yet the primary name of this Yom Tov, the name that we most commonly use when we refer to this day is Shavuot, for it not only tells us that it is the festival of weeks, crowning the seven week counting of the omer that began from Pesach, but it imparts to us the most important aspect of that day of M'amad Har Sinai. It is the day of the great Shavuah, the oath and promise that were made by G-D and by Am Yisrael. On this day the Al-mighty swore that eternal shavua, oath of devotion to us, that he will never forsake us, and in turn we pledged to Him our everlasting loyalty. It was a promise and pledge that married Am Yisrael with the Al-mighty Kudsha B'richu.

We have so tragically seen the alarming resurgence of Terrorism and Anti-Semitism that threatens Jews in Israel, Europe and around the world. It is that eternal strength that is given to us on Shavuot that we look to for our hope and strength..

It is with that message of the Zman Matan Toratenu that we renew our commitment to torah and each other, and the day of Bikurim that we reaffirm the eternal promise and survival of the Jewish people on the Land of Israel. It is the rich treasury of our life and the meaningfulness of purpose that is reaffirmed by this Yom H'Atzeret.

Most of all, let us not forget, that it is the day of Shavuot, that promise that we are given by G-D, never to lose hope, and that Am Yisrael Chai. We will survive, thrive and emerge stronger, better and more committed to each other. That eternal promise of G-D will be the reality of our lives, because today there is a new spirit of Achdut, of Jews and all good people of conscious joining together in unity and in support of our beloved Achenu Bnai Yisrael Hanitunim Batzarah.

In these most difficult times, may our tifelot and renewed commitment to Torah to Am Yisrael bring us closer to Yeshua and Geula for Am Yisrael, Klal Yisrael, and Midenat Yisrael.