As we draw nearer to the conclusion of our countdown of sefira, our thoughts are turning more and more to the culmination of these seven weeks of waiting, namely Shavuos. And as we make our preparations for the holiday, we come to realize how different Shavuos is from any other chag.
In the Torah, we are commanded to celebrate Pesach on the 15th day of Nissan. Similarly, we are commanded to celebrate Succos on the 15th day of Tishrei. The Torah spells out for us exactly when we must celebrate these two regalim. But the third regel however, is not given a specific date in the calendar; absolutely no mention is made of the fact that Shavuos falls on the 6th day of Sivan. All we are told is that we must celebrate Shavuos fifty days after Pesach. What an unusual way to pinpoint a Festival!?
Likewise, the Torah tells us the primary reasons we celebrate the other regalim. We celebrate Pesach to commemorate the night when Hashem was, “Posach al batei bnei Yisrael – Hashem passed over the houses of the Jews,” during the plague of makkos b’choros (killing of the firstborn), the night of yetzias Mitzrayim (going out from Egypt). We celebrate Succos to commemorate the sukkos that Hashem set up for us in the midbar (desert) to protect us – namely the ananei hakovod (clouds of glory). But the reason given for celebrating Shavuos is not the ikar, the most important reason. The Torah tells us that it is a Chag Bikkurim, a time when the first fruits were brought to the Bais HaMikdash. Nowhere is it stated that Shavuos is, “Z’man matan Toraseinu – The time of Giving of the Torah.”
Another difference we see is that other Yomim Tovim have at least one specific mitzvah pertaining to that, and only that, Yom Tov. Pesach has the mitzvah of matzah as well as, “Sipur yetzias Mitzrayim – Discussing at length the departure from Egypt.” Succos has the chiyuv (obligation) to eat in the sukkah as well as the arba minim, the lulav and esrog. Rosh Hashana has the mitzvah of shofar. Shavuos does not have any specific mitzvah. Especially in our times (as opposed to the times of our Temple), when even the korban (ritual sacrifice) of the shtei halechem cannot be brought, Shavuos has no special mitzvah pertaining to it alone.
Reb Eliezer also tells us that on Pesach and Succos, it is perfectly all right for one to devote the whole of the Yom Tov to learning Torah. One is excused from the celebration of the chag if he immerses himself in Torah study. Ironically, on Shavuos however, a person is obligated to enjoy himself, to have simchas Yom Tov. So we can see that there are many differences between Shavuos and the other chagim.
It is our responsibility to understand why Shavuos is set apart and to take these limudim (lessons) and to impress them upon our children and to everyone we know.
Shavuos celebrates the day Hashem gave Bnei Yisrael the Torah, the lekach tov, the most precious possession. It is different than the other two regalim in that, during Pesach and Succos, we are celebrating ancient events. Even though these events affect our daily lives even now, they happened long ago.
As such, we use ‘external stimulants’ in order to be able to feel and relive those times. We need the mitzvos of matzah and moror, sipur yetzias Mitzrayim, and the sukkah in order to be able to experience the reasons for these Yomim Tovim, in order to feel that we ourselves were slaves in Egypt and Hashem took us out and surrounded us with ananei hakovod. “Adom nifal k’fi p’uloso – A person reacts and feels what he experiences and does.”
Matan Torah is not something that happened in ancient times. The Torah is viable and with us every day. Kabbalas HaTorah happens every day. As it says in Shema, “Asher Anochi m’tzavacha hayom – As I (Hashem) commanded you today.” Rashi explains this to mean that we should feel that the Torah was just given to us each and every day. “Al t’hei b’einecha k’d’yukna y’shana – Don’t let it be in your eyes like an old decree.” It is a new decree, fresh every day. “B’chol yom v’yom y’hiyu b’einecha k’chadashos – Everyday, it should be like new in your eyes.”
Since we experience Kabbalas HaTorah every day, we do not need a special mitzvah. We do not need any ‘external stimulants’ to help us relive the moment we received the Torah; we experience it every day. This is similar to what the Rishonim tell us about Shemini Atzeres: It does not have any special mitzvah either. What are we celebrating on that day? Simchas HaTorah, and we have no true simcha except for the simcha of the Torah. “Ein lanu shiur rak HaTorah haZos – We have nothing remaining but the Torah.” When we are m’same’ach with the Torah, we do not need any other stimulus.
Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, zy”a, used the above to explain that the Torah did not give any specific day for celebrating Shavuos since every day of the year is Kabbalas haTorah. The Torah has no set date. This is similar to the celebration of Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. We do not have such days designated during the year since we are obligated in the mitzvah of kibud av v’eim all year round and not just one day a year. Kabbalas haTorah is 365 days each year and not just one day a year.
Reb Yisroel Salanter, zt”l, zy”a, takes this point one step further. He explains that the Torah was given to us in the midbar so that it had no specific place. As a result, no one can claim an exemption from learning and following the Torah because they were not in the place of its giving. So, the Torah has no set time and no set place.
Rav Moshe continues along this vein and tells us that in the Kodesh HaKodoshim (holiest place in the Sanctuary of the Temple), there was no room allocated for the Aron. [We realize this when we look carefully at the dimensions given to us in the Torah. There was not enough square footage for the Aron to have a place to stand.] The Aron stood in the Holy of Holies only because of a neis (miracle). Why was this? We know that Hashem does not go out of His way to make a neis. Surely when Hashem was giving the measurements to Moshe, He could have enlarged the Kodesh HaKodoshim and made room for the Aron.
The fact that the Aron had no designated area within the Mishkan teaches us a valuable lesson. Torah does not have a set place. It can be found anywhere. It should be found everywhere. And this is why the Torah does not call Shavuos, “Z’man Matan Toraseinu.” Every day is the day we are given the Torah.
(The Meforshim in Masechtas Rosh Hashana tell us that this is why Rosh Hashana is not called Yom haDin as well. A person should feel that every day he is being judged; not just one day a year. “Adam nidon b’chol yom – A person is judged at all times.”
Shavuos differs from Succos and Pesach in another way as well. Both Succos and Pesach are long holidays, each lasting seven days. Shavuos lasts only one day (not including the extra day added on to Yom Tov because we are in galus). The reason for this is because both Succos and Pesach celebrate and commemorate an event of seven. Our final freedom from the Egyptians climaxed seven days after the exodus with the miracle of the Red Sea. The seven days of Succos commemorate the seven clouds which protected us in the desert.
Kabalas haTorah however, was started and completed in one day. Therefore, we are only commanded to commemorate that day with one day. The Sefer HaToda’ah teaches us a Sifri on Parshas R’ei. The Torah says, “Bo u’rei – Come and see…,” how much Hashem worries about the money of Klal Yisrael. See how much Hashem cares about our parnassah (livelihoods). Shavuos takes place at harvest time. Had Hashem obligated us to celebrate a week-long holiday, the crops would not have been harvested on time, and would have been ruined. So, financially, Bnei Yisrael would have been ruined.
Since it would be too difficult for us to have a long chag at this time, Hashem designated only one day so that we would not suffer because of it. “Chas HaKodosh Baruch Hu al m’monam shel Yisrael, Hashem is always looking out for our benefit, financial or otherwise. After all, we are Hashem’s chosen nation and He cares about us and loves us. “Habocheir b’amo Yisrael b’ahava – Hashem chooses Yisrael His People with love.” Shavuos is only one day so that it does not adversely affect us economically and agriculturally.
Many people feel that the Torah is outdated; that it doesn’t keep up with the times. However, Hashem gives us the Torah every day, hayom. Hashem knows the future; He foresaw it all. And in the Torah we can find all the answers to all our questions, even our modern day questions. Hashem provided for everything, including a man on the moon, laser surgery, genetic coding, voice activation technology, and all other modern achievements and advancements.
In the blessing of the Torah we say, “Asher bachar banu…v’nasan lonu… – Who chose us and…and Who gave to us…,” all in the past tense. However, when we complete the bracha, we say, “Nosein haTorah – Who gives the Torah,” in the present tense. This is, again, to strengthen the point that Hashem is giving the Torah to us every day.
On the other Yomim Tovim, Bnei Yisrael were commanded to bring a communal korban chatas. Not so on Shavuos. For the Meforshim tell us, “Kol ham’kabel alov ohl Torah, mavirin mimenu kol chataav – Whomever accepts upon himself the yoke of Torah is forgiven for all of his sins.” So, if we truly accept the Torah on Shavuos, we have no need for a korban chatas, since we are free of sin.
Shavuos is an especially significant time for Bnei Torah, those who learn in kollel and yeshivos, those who work and learn when they can, and those who send their children to yeshivos. For these, Shavuos has a special meaning. On this day, the Gemara in Pesachim [78b] tells us that Rav Yoseif asked his household to prepare him the most sumptuous meal possible, an igla tilsa, which in our days might conceivably equal fillet mignon. For Rav Yoseif would say, “Ee lo hayoma d’ka gorim kama Yoseif ika b’shuka – If it weren’t for this day which caused me to be different, I would be like many other Yoseif’s in the marketplace.” Just like a doctor celebrates the anniversary of the day he was given his degree, just like a lawyer celebrates the day he passed the bar, so too Bnei Torah should celebrate the day we were given the Torah, the special something which caused us to be set apart.
Torah should hold such a strong place in our hearts that we could not survive without it. Just as Reb Yochonon, who lost ten children but still remained full of emunah and bitachon (faith and trust); so much so that he used to go and comfort other parents who lost children. Yet, when his chavrusa, Reish Lakish died, he could not stand the loss of Torah. Even after Reb Elazar ben P’dos became his new chavrusa and would tell Reb Yochonon that his views were correct, and even bringing him proof to that effect, Reb Yochonon could not be comforted. Proof that he was right was not what Reb Yochonon wanted to hear. In the past, every time he would make a statement to Reish Lakish, Reish Lakish would ask him 24 questions on it. In turn, he would reply with 24 answers. In this way Torah was beautified, and grew greatly. Reb Yochonon was so grief stricken that he too was niftar.
Let us look at the Torah as that one most important thing. “Achas sha’alti…shivti b’veis Hashem – One thing I ask of Hashem, that I should be able to dwell in the House of Hashem.” We pray that we should dwell whenever possible in the Batei Medrashim, in the yeshivos, or by the dining room table in the home, and learn Torah all the days of our lives, and that limud, harbotzas, and hachzakas haTorah be the goal we strive for all the days of our lives.
Transcribed and edited by Shelley Zeitlin.
