This Thursday evening begins Shavuot, the first harvest festival and the commemoration of our people’s receiving Torah at Sinai.
It troubles me that so many Jews do not know it is Shavuot. While it is one of the three major pilgrimage festivals along with Pesach and Sukkot, it does not have the recognition that Pesach does, nor Sukkot.
Read MoreFrom BaMidbar “ 1. And the Ineffable spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai in the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the second month in the second year from their departure from the land of Egypt, saying: 2. Raise up the heads of all the congregation of the children of Israel.” (BaMidbar 1:1-2)
Many translators translate the second verse as “count or take a census of the heads…”. But the Hebrew, Se’u, has greater depth. The Ishbitzer Rav and other commentators teach us that each person is unique and that each person will be lifted up or spiritually elevated in their relationship to self, others, God and life.
Read MoreThe recent Shavuot festival should remind us of the commitment our ancestors made and renewed throughout the generations to be a Covenantal People, committed to certain values and the pursuit of peace and justice. Sadly, if we review the Ten Statements of Principles, ( the Ten Commandments), our people are not doing well. The government of Israel and Jewish organizations that support the continued violations of humans rights and the violence are desecrating our heritage and not respecting our ancestors.
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