PREPARING FOR SHAVUOS

Dear Family,

I hope that everyone is well.

Mazal Tov to Meyer and Malky on the engagement of Esther. This is amazing news BH! Wishing the marriage to take place beshaah tova umatzlachas (at a good time) with much celebration! (Meyer is my brother in law, and Rahel's brother)

This week I learned a short Maamer of the Rebbe from 1989, about PREPARATION FOR SHAVUOT which I would like try and summarize and share.

The Ten Commandments given at Sinai on Shavuot starts "Anochi Hashem Elokechah ..who took you out of Egypt....

The I of Anochi expresses the Essence of Hashem at a very high level, which is appropriate for the Giving of Torah.

But why "Who took you out of Egypt." Surely it would have been more appropriate to link the Giving of Torah to the "Creation of the World"?

To strengthen the argument, it is known from the Inner Teachings of Torah that the Creation of the World is from nothing to something, from the power of the very Essence of Hashem, and is renewing itself every moment of every day.

In the same way Torah which was given from the Essence of Hashem is also an ongoing process. (The verse speaks about the Giving of Torah in the present tense) As our Sages have taught that Torah should be to us as new, every day.

The taking us out of Egypt does not match up to these all- powerful powers of Creation. So why is it given such importance?

In short, the answer to this question is that Torah was given to Yisrael. The purpose of Torah is for people.

We need to go through the difficulties of life (the slavery of Egypt)) and despite difficulties, fulfill Hashems will practically, down here on earth.

Before Matan Torah we were all united together as a Nation as we stood at Har Sinai, and we declared, with submissiveness, WE WILL DO (Hashem's Will) and only afterwards we will TRY TO UNDERSTAND.

The whole world was quiet and in awe.

Therefore the practical preparation we need to do for Shavuot is:

• Express the unity of the Jewish People by going to shul to hear the reading of the 10 Commandments. The word areivim used to describe this unity also has the meaning of sweetness. - a sweet unity.
• Think about, and bring to action "We will do, and then we will try to understand" Torah and Mitzvos
• Relive the awe experienced at the original Giving of Torah, and that each year our understanding of the above concepts should grow and have a new and real continued freshness.
• Make resolutions to increase our learning of both Nigleh (Oral Law) and Chassidus (hidden dimension of Torah)
• In the same way that Moshe handed down and shared Torah, we should share our knowledge with others.
• In the same way that the whole world was affected by the Giving of Torah, we should also strengthen another of the Pillars of the world, which is the giving of Tzedakah (Charity)
• Also linked to Shavuot in addition to Moshe Rabeinu, is David HaMelech (Psalms) and the Baal Shem Tov (hidden Dimension of Torah)

Gut Shabbos, Gut Chodesh, and wishing everyone a meaningful Yom Tov, with the re -acceptance of Torah with Joy