JEWISH HOME LA

Dear Readers,

Zman matan toraseinu. The sound of these words alone brings forth an inner joy. Indeed of all the yomim tovim, Shavuos alone allows for no exceptions. One must celebrate the yom tov with food and drink even if one enjoys fasting!

“For they are our life and the length of our days, and we will meditate on them day and night.” Torah is the life of a Jew. In it, we see our spirit freed and our neshamah fully expressed. Without it, we are a body without a soul.

Throughout our history we have lived for the Torah, learning it, teaching it, dancing with it, and – when necessary – giving up our lives for it. Like Rabbi Akiva answered Pappus Ben Judah: Torah for a Yid is like water for a fish; life without it is not an option.

Torah tziva lanu Moshe morasha kehillas Yaakov – Torah is the inheritance of the entire Jewish people. No one owns it more than anyone else. Anochi Hashem elokecha, was said in the singular: I am Hashem your G-d. The greatest scholar and the “simplest” Jew were both given this great gift on Vav Sivan 3329 years ago.

In fact it was this very attitude that prepared the Yidden for matan Torah. Unlike the other encampments in which the Yidden were bickering, when they came to Har Sinai they resembled one giant person, k’ish echad b’lev echad.

As with anything worth earning, Torah observance comes with many responsibilities: how to dress, speak, act, and even how to think. The reward, however, is to be connected to the Nosein haTorah, the Giver of the Torah. Even while we live down here in this temporary abode – rather, specifically when living in this physical world – we have a chance to connect to the Source of all life, Hakadosh Baruch Hu himself.

May we see what our nation has accomplished throughout this long journey with the coming of Moshiach who will usher in a time when the occupation of all the nations of the world will be to know G-d.

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos. May we receive the Torah b’simcha ubipnimiyus!

Shalom