Shavuot is one of the three festival holidays- (Sukkot and Pesach are the other two.) On Shavuot we celebrate the revelation of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. We celebrate the idea that we, each and Jew, past,present and future, born Jewish or chosen later in life, all of us were standing at Sinai. The agriculture link it to the barley harvest and Shavuot culminate the counting of the Omer. We traditionally eat diary foods (and we will be serving Blintzes and Cheesecake tonight) to connect us to Israel, which is described as a land flowing with Milk and Honey. The ceremony of Confirmation is linked to Shavuot as it is a time to reaffirm one’s connection to Judaism and to the Torah. We are so proud of our 10 confirmands who eloquently affirmed their connection to Judaism this past Sunday. The Book of Ruth is read on Shavuot- in which accepts Judaism and becomes the first Jew by choice with the words, “wherever you go, I will go... your God, will be my God.”
Shavuot is the holiday when we celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. And a lot of what we teach about Judaism is about giving - giving Tzedakah, giving our time, giving of ourselves. But another event is celebrated on Shavuot - the receiving of the Torah. While giving can be difficult, human beings seem to find it even harder to receive.
We receive gifts, news, grades, critiques. Often, when we are receiving things we get defensive or embarrassed. Even when receiving a compliment, we find fault with the remark saying, “Oh, this old thing.” or “I didn’t really do anything.” I remember reading an Ann Landers column when I was a teenager which made a tremendous impression on me. Ann advised, when someone gives you a compliment, just say “thank you”. If you respond by diminishing the compliment and putting yourself down you actually hurt the feelings of the person trying to compliment you, for you are saying that their judgment must be faulty. Just graciously receive the compliment.
On Shavuot we will be celebrating the giving and the receiving of the Torah. Were the Israelites able to receive it graciously?
One source says the only reason the Israelites accepted the 10 commandments was because God held a mountain over their heads as they were offered. Even the Israelites had trouble just saying thank you, and this was God doing the giving.
But another Midrash teaches:
First the Almighty went to all the nations of the world and offered them the Torah.
"What does your Torah say?" they demanded to know. "We don't sign blank checks!"
To one nation, God said, "Do not murder."
"Such a Torah is not for us!" they cried.
To another nation, God said, "Do not commit adultery."
"No thank you" they replied.
To another nation, God said, "Honor your parents."
"Come on! Isn't Mothers' Day good enough??"
Only the Jews accepted God's word unconditionally. (Midrash - based on Deut. 33:2)
Na’aseh V’nishma - was their response , “we will do, and we will listen” Without knowing the details they said okay. This is for us. We will accept this gift in the spirit it was given and then we will try to understand it.
We need to be more like the Israelites in this second story. We also need to think about that God is doing the giving for everything we receive. We should cultivate appreciation of the the little things we are given and the larger ones.
When we are ill, it is difficult for us to accept help from neighbors and friends. We are so busy worrying about not imposing and not bothering others. Our unwillingness to receive help, denies those who want to help us, the chance to do so. We can turn our reticence around. When we accept graciously we allow another to fulfill the mitzvot of giving Tzedakah- doing the right thing, bikkur cholim- visiting the sick and of gemilut chasadim- acts of loving kindness. Come talk to me if you would like to help create a Bikkur Cholim group or a Caring Community at Temple Beth Torah. If that way we will be able to reach out to others and allow them to receive blessings from us in the form of much needed help.
On this Shavuot may each of us be blessed with the ability to receive not only God’s commandments, but whatever we need.
Rabbi Susie Heneson Moskowitz
June 7, 2011 5 Sivan 5771
