NEW LIGHT NEWS
CONGREGATION OHR CHADASH – A MESSIANIC SYNAGOGUE
May – June 2022 to Iyyar – Sivan – Tammuz 5782
The absence of a definitive date in the Bible for the season of the giving of the Torah gave rise to a number of thought-provoking remarks by Jewish teachers. It has been pointed out, for example, that every historical festival marks the anniversary of something which happened only once and is over and done with. The Exodus from Egypt was an event in time which will not be repeated and the 15th of Nisan reminds us of that single event. So, too, the festival of Sukkot is intended to remind us of Israel’s wandering in the wilderness which is also an event that happened during one period only. The significance of the giving of the Torah, however, lies not only in the tremendous scene enacted on Sinai on one particular occasion, but equally (or perhaps even more so) in the acceptance of the Torah teaching by Israel every day and in all countries wherever they live. The real importance of Sinai is not localized either in place or time but is of universal and eternal impact. The Children of Israel arrived at Sinai bayom hazeh—on this day—and the Bible seems deliberately to prefer such an expression rather than prescribing a particular date because this day is really every day and the Torah must be accepted every day. In this connection we might note the famous reply of the Kotzker Rabbi (d. 1859) to the question why Shavuot is described as the season of the giving of the Torah and not as the season of the receiving of the Torah. It is because the giving of the Torah took place on one day only, but the receiving of the Torah takes place every day.
Expenses are a constant companion; please consider how you can help.
from A Guide to Shavuoth, p.13–14 by Dr. Chaim Pearl
