By Rabbi Yosef Shemtov:
This Monday and Tuesday we celebrate the chag of Shavuot, the day that Benei Israel received the Torah. On the first night, it is customary to stay up and learn Torah all night in order to show our love for Torah and to acknowledge all our blessings come from Torah study.
Beni Israel left Egypt on the first day of Passover and HaShem commanded them to count 50 days in order to prepare for the magnificent day of receiving the Torah.
The purpose of the Exodus was that the Torah be given to Beni Israel. They saw many miracles such as the splitting of Yam Soof, the clouds of glory, the falling of the man, and the stream that moved with them to supply their water. All these miracles were meant to instill faith in Benei Israel and show the greatness of the Almighty. After around 45 days of journey from Egypt, Benei Israel camped by Mount Sinai. HaShem asked Moshe Rabeinu to go and ask them if they want the Torah. And of course they said, “Naaseh ve nishma,†meaning we agree to receive the Torah and we will do and listen.
The Midrash says before HaShem offered the Torah to the Jews, he offered it to all the other nations. They asked what is written in the Torah and after HaShem gave them just one mitzva, they rejected the Torah. But Benei Israel accepted the Torah without even asking what was written inside.
This shows Benei Israel’s love for HaShem. Shavuot is a time to renew our love and our commitment to Torah learning and the mitzvot.
On behalf of the Yachad Rabbis, I would like to wish you a happy and meaningful Shavuot.