The Torah played a key role in shaping the US Constitution and the American culture, as well as the foundations of Western democracies.
6. Shavou’ot reflects the centrality of “seven” in Judaism. The Hebrew root of Shavou’ot (שבועות) is Seven (שבע – Sheva), which is also the root of “vow” (שבועה – Shvoua’), “satiation” (שובע – Sova) and “week” (שבוע – Shavoua’). Shavou’ot is celebrated 7 weeks following Passover. God employed 7 earthly attributes to create the universe (in addition to the 3 divine attributes). The Sabbath is the 7th day of the Creation in a 7 day week. The first Hebrew verse of Genesis consists of 7 words. According to Genesis, the 7 beneficiaries of the Sabbath are: “you, your son and daughter, your male and female servants, your livestock and the stranger.” God created 7 universes – the 7th hosts the pure souls, hence “Seventh Heaven.” There are 7 compartments of hell. There are 7 basic human traits, which individuals are supposed to resurrect/adopt in preparation for Shavou’ot. The are 7 key Jewish/universal leaders – the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Moses and Aharon, Joseph and David – who are commemorated as distinguished guests (Ushpizin in Hebrew) during the holiday of Tabernacles, representing the 7 qualities of the Torah. 7 generations passed from Abraham to Moses. There are 7 species of the Land of Israel (barley, wheat, grape, fig, pomegranate, olive and date/honey. In Hebrew, number 7 represents multiplication (שבעתיים–Shiva’tayim). Grooms and Brides are blessed 7 times during the wedding ceremony. There are 7 major Jewish holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Tabernacles, Chanukah, Purim, Passover and Shavou’ot); 7 directions (north, south, west, east, up, down, one’s inside); 7 continents and 7 oceans and major seas in the globe; 7 world wonders; 7 notes in a musical scale; 7 days of mourning for the deceased; 7 congregants read the Torah on each Sabbath; 7 Jewish Prophetesses (Sarah, Miriam, Devorah, Chana, Abigail, Choulda and Esther); 7 gates to the Temple in Jerusalem; 7 branches in the Temple’s Menorah; and the 7 Laws of Noah. Moses was born and died on the 7th day of the Jewish month of Adar. Jethro had 7 names and 7 daughters. Joshua circled Jericho 7 times before the wall tumbled-down. Passover and Sukkot (Tabernacles) last for 7 days each. The Yom Kippur prayers are concluded by reciting 7 times “God is the King.” Each Plague (in Egypt) lasted for 7 days. The Jubilee follows seven 7-year cycles. According to Judaism, slaves are liberated, and the soil is not-cultivated, every 7th year. Pentecost is celebrated on the 7th Sunday after Easter.
7. Shavou’ot is celebrated 50 days following Passover, the holiday of liberty. The Jubilee – the cornerstone of liberty and the source of the inscription on the Liberty Bell (Leviticus 25:10) – is celebrated every 50 years. Judaism highlights the constant challenge facing human beings: the choice between the 50 gates of wisdom (the Torah) and the corresponding 50 gates of impurity (Biblical Egypt). The 50th gate of wisdom is the gate of deliverance. The USA is composed of 50 states.
8. Shavou’ot sheds light on the unique covenant between the Jewish State and the USA: Judeo-Christian Values. These values impacted the world view of the Pilgrims, the Founding Fathers and the US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, Separation of Powers, Checks & Balances, the abolitionist movement, etc. John Locke wanted the 613 Laws of Moses to become the legal foundation of the new society established in America. Lincoln’s famous 1863 quote – “government of the people, by the people, for the people” – paraphrased a statement made by the 14th century British philosopher and translator of the Bible, John Wycliffe: “The Bible is a book of the people, by the people, for the people.”
