I grew up in a household that combined Jewish tradition with a secular education. My journey toward a deeper understanding of Judaism has been diverse and enriching, taking me from Montreal to online platforms like Zoom, where I can study the Torah with renowned rabbis and scholars. With Shavuot approaching, a pivotal moment in the Jewish calendar, it’s an ideal time to delve into the significance of this holiday, exploring its roots, teachings, and relevance in our modern lives.

Shavuot is known as “zman matan toratenu” in the Mishna and Talmud, which signifies the time of the giving of our Torah. This event is vividly recounted in Exodus 20:1-17. Our sages offer an intriguing insight into why the wilderness was chosen as the backdrop for delivering the Torah to the Israelites. They suggest that the Torah was imparted in the desolate desert to underscore its accessibility to all who seek its wisdom, transcending barriers of identity or status.

Interconnections Between the Ten Commandments and the Torah

The Ten Commandments, also known as “aseret hadibrot” in Hebrew, are rules spoken by the Jewish G-d at Mount Sinai. This happened 50 days after the Israelites escaped from Egypt. While they are often called commandments, they are part of a more extensive set of 613 laws and injunctions known as “denim and hukim,” given by G-d.

The Israelites adopted a set of regulations that covered a wide range of aspects in life, including social and economic matters, as well as personal and spiritual connections. Though these principles were initially intended for the Jewish community, they now hold significance worldwide, similar to the American Constitution or the Bill of Rights.

The Torah’s 613 commandments, from the Five Books of Moses, form a network of rules. For example, Leviticus 19:35-36 emphasizes fair practices in commerce, which echoes the eighth Commandment, “not to bear false witness against your neighbour,” and the ninth Commandment, “not to steal.”

“You shall not commit a perversion of justice with measures, weights, or liquid measures. You shall have accurate scales and weights.”

In Canadian society, honesty in business transactions is highly valued and enforced by civil and criminal courts. This reflects the biblical principles where individuals are expected to speak truthfully. However, it is essential to recognize the origins of these concepts and regulations.

Another guidance from the Torah relates to fair treatment and worker payment (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15), which aligns with the principles of avoiding theft and false testimony. Talmudic rabbis further elaborate on these interconnected principles, highlighting the inherent connections among these commandments.

“Do not withhold the workers’ wage with you until morning.” (Leviticus 19:13). “Do not extort the impoverished wage from among your kin or the strangers that reside in your land and within your gates. Each day, you shall pay him his wage—the sun shall not rise upon it—for he is poor, and he has staked his life for it.” (Deuteronomy Ch.24 V.14-15)

The eighth and ninth principles of not stealing and not lying are related. According to Talmudic rabbis, these principles are connected to the tenth Commandment of not coveting your neighbour’s possessions, which can lead to sins like murder, adultery, theft, or deceit.

Ideologies can lead individuals, groups, and nations to commit crimes like deceit, theft, adultery, and murder. The Nazi ideology used Jews for their assets and talents and exploited them as slave labour. Hitler’s Mein Kampf blamed German Jews for the perceived disadvantages faced by Aryan Germans. Jews contributed positively to the German state without expecting anything more than equal citizenship. The Pity of It All by Amos Elon depicts the tragic misunderstanding of Jews in Germany during this time.

The First Five Commandments: Relationship with the Divine

The First Five Commandments focus on our relationship with the Divine. The first Commandment emphasizes the importance of having no other G-ods before the true G-d. The second Commandment forbids idolatry. The third Commandment stresses the significance of respecting the Divine.

The historical context of the Jewish people’s experience at Sinai is essential to understanding the essence of these commandments. The pharaohs of Egypt were like modern-day autocrats with G-d-like authority. They demanded worship and punished criticism harshly. In contrast, the Jewish G-d protects the vulnerable in society and forbids idolatry.

In the Sinai desert, G-d presented Himself as the compassionate force that liberated the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, urging them to follow the guidance of an “invisible” deity.

As discussed in my recent blog, “Matzah Passover and Freedom,” these commandments are timeless principles guiding spirituality and societal conduct.

“The road to freedom and redemption is long and winding and does not end when the Jews leave Egypt. It is only the beginning – the freedom from oppression.”

Genuine freedom thrives within a society built on love and mutual care, and the Torah provides a detailed roadmap to achieve this ideal. Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks astutely observed:

“Freedom is not won by merely overthrowing a tyrannical ruler or an oppressive regime. That is usually only the prelude to a new tyranny, a new oppression. The faces change, but not the script. True freedom requires the rule of law and justice and a judicial system in which the denial of rights to others does not obscure the rights of some.” *1

However, before accepting G-d’s laws, it is crucial to establish His authority in the community’s eyes. This requires using familiar language and rituals of divine power taken from Egyptian culture. Thus, the G-d of Israel urges the Israelites to show Him the same respect they once reserved for the Pharaoh. But unlike before, this is not for G-d’s benefit but for the betterment of the Israelites’ lives. The Torah consistently emphasizes that these laws aim to improve the Israelites’ lives and those of future generations rather than solely serving G-d’s interests.

What sets the Jewish G-d apart from the Pharaoh of Egypt is the prohibition against constructing statues in His honour. Instead, the directive is to embrace specific ideals and foster love and care for one another, extending compassion to family, fellow citizens, and strangers alike.

The Sabbath is a significant gift from G-d, meant for everyone, including animals, to observe equally. Scientific research confirms the necessity of regular rest for human well-being, a principle recognized as a fundamental human right in the Torah. Ignoring this principle can have inherent risks.

“Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath unto the Lord your God. You shall not do any manner of work—you, your son, your daughter, your manservant, your maidservant, your cattle, and your stranger within your gates. For six days, the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath Day and hallowed it.”

Moving to the fifth Commandment emphasizes parents’ crucial role as primary conduits of G-d’s teachings. They are tasked with passing down society’s foundational principles from generation to generation. Therefore, giving due respect and honour to parents is as crucial as showing reverence to the divine. My blog, ‘To Honour One’s Parents,’ delves into the significance of this fundamental commandment.

“Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.”

Celebrating Shavuot in Modern Times

Jewish communities worldwide will gather for their annual all-night Torah study session this weekend to celebrate Shavuot. This cherished tradition dates back to ancient times and is meant to mark the occasion. According to legend, the depth of Torah study is as vast as the ocean. In the 1st century AD, a Roman soldier challenged Rabbi Akiva to summarize the Torah while standing on one leg. The Rabbi cleverly replied: “Do not do unto others what you would not want them to do unto you. The rest is commentary.”

The Baal Shem Tov, a 17th-century Hassidic leader, emphasized that understanding the Torah and feeling G-d’s care extends beyond studying, including enjoying good food, drink, laughter, song, and dance. And so, Shavuot became a time when Jewish people came together to celebrate and pass on their traditions from one generation to another. The occasion is marked by the richness of Torah study, the joy of communal gatherings, and the blessings of shared meals and laughter.

Legacy of the Torah: Guiding Light for Joy and Prosperity

Throughout history, the Torah has served as a guiding light and a cornerstone for the Jewish people, offering principles of freedom, joy, and prosperity through its rich tapestry of parables and 613 mitzvot.

As the Passover seder prompts us to envision personal liberation from Egyptian slavery, Shavuot encourages us to embrace and receive the Torah, perpetuating the legacy of the Jewish people. Today, access to Torah study is open to all, whether in person, through books, or via the Internet.

As we celebrate Shavuot, let us be inspired to deepen our engagement with the Torah, seek wisdom and understanding, and work towards building a world based on justice, compassion, and love. May this celebration serve as a catalyst for ongoing growth, connection, and transformation throughout the year.

Hag Shavuot Sameach!

 

FOOTNOTE:

1. Passover’s Lessons for Freedom Fighters” by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks