By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov
Shavuot is the time when Beni Israel received the Torah orally and became obligated to keep God’s commandments. The Midrash tells us that the Almighty offered the Torah to other nations first. All the other nations asked what was written in the Torah and what laws would they need to keep. Upon hearing that they wouldn’t be allowed to murder or commit adultery or to even steal, they refused and said they could not live without committing these actions.
The Jews, on the other hand, didn’t ask any questions and said naase ve nishmah, meaning we will do and we will appreciate the Torah. Of course Hashem chose Beni Israel as his nation and the Jewish religion started.
This midrash is difficult to understand because all the nations of the world are obligated to keep the 7 mitzvot of Noah, and the prohibitions on murder, adultery, and stealing are included in the 7 mitzvot of Noach.
The answer is that all the nations said to God that they may be able to avoid performing these acts, but would not be able to rid themselves of the desire to commit them. The Torah expect us not only to avoid sin, but to elevate ourselves to do good deeds and to not desire sinful acts.
Shavuot is the time when we received the Torah and we became the Almighty’s nation in order to be a role model for other nations.
On behalf of the Yachad Kollel Rabbis, I would like to wish you and your family a happy and meaningful Shavuot
Rabbi Yosef Shemtov
Executive director of Yachad Kollel