Two Crowns for Torah - Shavuot 5784

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The holiday of Shavuot begins on Tuesday night.  Though not as well known as other Jewish holidays, it is arguably the most important, since without Shavuot none of the others would even exist.  On the sixth day of Sivan 3,336 years ago, Hashem descended to Mt. Sinai to give us the Torah, and we became the Jewish nation.  (Before that we were a family descended from Abraham, but the official beginning of the nation as the Torah observant Chosen People, began on Shavuot.)


When Moshe asked the people if they would accept theTorah, they said the two famous words:  “Naasse Venishma” - we will do and we will hear.  The Talmud states that when the nation said first Naasse and then Nishma - implying a total acceptance of whatever the Torah would require without even knowing the details in advance, the angels came and gave each of them two crowns.  (The crowns would later be taken away after the people worshiped the Golden Calf.)


The Rebbe teaches a beautiful, mystical interpretation of the significance of the crowns, and why the people merited two crowns for the way they accepted the commitment.  First they said, Naasse - we will do - representing a commitment to observe the positive, actionable, Mitzvot.  Then they said, Nishma - we will hear and obey - alluding to those Mitzvot for which we abstain from taking action because Hashem commands it, known as the negative Mitzvot. .  


If a person is obedient and observes rules, that is very impressive and commendable, but does it  merit a crown?  


A crown sits above the head, hovering above the brain.  Contrary to a hat which serves the head, protecting it from the elements or displaying our fear of Hashem, a crown does not serve the body.  It exhibits the majesty of the king, something that is beyond logic.  


Had the Jews said it the other way around, we will hear and we will do, that would have implied observance based on understanding and logic.  What they did instead was to commit beyond logic - we will do whatever Hashem wants because He is our Creator and our King.  It doesn’t matter what it is, or whether we understand it, because we gave ourselves over to the will of the King.


When a positive observance is based on a commitment to Hashem’s kingship, Naasse,  the recognition that His will is paramount in our lives warrants a crown.  The same recognition when refraining from committing negative commandments, Nishma, itself deserves another crown.  


The Shavuot holiday has the potential to lift us to great heights.  Just as on Rosh Hashanah when we blow the Shofar and on the holy day of Yom Kippur, on Shavuot there is a special aura of holiness in the world.  This aura helps us subdue the evil inclination and increase our Torah study and observance.  Here are a few positive actions you can take for the holiday:

 

  • Before sunset, women and girls light the Holiday candles and say the blessings.  It is customary to give some Tzedakah before lighting the candles. Candles are also lit on Wednesday night, after dark, from a pre-existing flame, and both blessings are recited.


  • Study Torah all night the first night of Shavuot (Tuesday).  There is a custom from the great mystic the “Shalah” to read the “tikkun”, a compilation of verses spanning the written and oral Torah.


  • Hear the Torah portion in the synagogue on Wednesday, when we read and recreate the giving of the Ten Commandments.  Anyone within walking distance of a synagogue should go and bring the entire family, including young babies, to mirror the Sinai when every Jew was present.


  • Say the special prayers of the Holiday, including Hallel.  Those with loved ones no longer with us also say Yizkor on the second day.


  • Eat four festive meals, Tuesday and Wednesday nights and Wednesday and Thursday lunches.  These meals include Kiddush, Challah, and for carnivores, meat.


  • In addition, on Wednesday after services, before the meat meal, it is customary to eat a dairy meal, often including cheesecake or ice cream.


  • Contemplate your relationship with the Torah, and take on realistic but meaningful resolutions to raise your Torah connection



May you have a meaningful Shavuot with a lasting impact.  In the words of the traditional Shavuot greeting: Kabbalat Hatorah besimcha ubipnimiyut - Receive the Torah with Joy and in a deep personal way.

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