Shavuot is the “Zman Matan Torataynu”, the “Season of the Giving of our Torah.”  As we have often pointed out, Shavuot is the only chag that is without its own unique ritual observance. Pesach has matzo and the removal of chametz; Sukkot, the sukka and lulav and etrog. Rosh Hashanna the shofar and on Yom Kippur, we fast.
 
Saadya Gaon explains that our nation, Am Yisrael, is a nation only by virtue of the Torah. It is our essence, and without it we could not be the Jewish People, nor would we be able to practice Judaism. Accordingly, our tradition deemed it proper to celebrate the seminal event in the history of the Jewish nation by focusing on the centrality of Torah.
But what does this mean? Do we merely pay lip service to this idea? How does Torah actually “speak to us”? If Torah is our lifeblood, then should we not continually be transfused with its content and import? Is Torah study part of our daily routine? It certainly should be, but is it?

This Shavuot completes yet another cycle of Shalosh Regalim that I have spent as the Rabbi of the Roslyn Synagogue. I often ask myself,“to what avail”? Do we listen to what the Rabbi says? Does anyone take heed? Or is it “Oznayim Lahem Velo Yishmaoo”, in the immortal words of the Psalmist,“they have ears but do not hear”.

On this, the holiday that celebrates the giving of our Torah at Mt. Sinai, let us all ask ourselves, are we learning more Torah than we were last year? Do the principles and guidelines of Torah guide us and inform our daily lives? Our shul offers many opportunities each week for Torah learning. If schedules don’t permit attendance, is anyone actually devoting time to Torah study at home?

There is much lip service paid to this idea, but, unfortunately, follow through is lacking.

Let us this year declare, as did our anscestors at Mt. Sinai: “Na’aseh Venishma”, and commit ourselves as individuals and as a community. “We will do, and we will hear”.

Beile joins me in wishing everyone chag samayach.

Rabbi Robert D. Block
 
 
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