Only three days are left until the big day of Shavuot, when we commemorate the giving of the Torah by HaShem, Blessed Be His Holy Name. If we remember this only as a historic event, then it is only a symbolic holiday; but what is there in it for us?
Well, we’re dealing with a transaction here: if there is something being given, then there must be someone receiving it – we are this someone! Sinai wasn’t a one-off event, the receiving of the Torah is happening every day since when it was originally given. We all know that the Sinai experience – the Big-Bang that shaped us into the Jewish people - is part of our D.N.A. We were all there - although we don’t remember it ourselves. The sound effects resonate through the centuries all the way to the present day for all of us to hear. We don’t hear it – at least us common folk - for one simple reason: we’re so enmeshed in our daily routine: street noise, work noise, gadget noise and gizmo noise – they all block out the voice saying: “I am your G-d”. So, just put your ear to the ground, humble yourself and come down from all the high-tech, Hi-Fi and hi-risers, ye shall hear!
Indeed, one of the commandments that form part of the six daily “reminders” is: Remember the day you stood before your G-d at Horeb – i.e. Sinai. This is a reminder for each and every one of us – regardless of age, physical condition or financial status – to connect with the teachings we received at Sinai. Everyone is given the option every day; every day is a new day – a new chance to reconnect. As it is told by the Sages: “every day a proclamation emanates from Sinai: dear children, come back home – let me heal your lapses”. Meaning: even if there was a lapse in your way of life – you lost connection - just turn around, the rest will follow. It is up to us to decide if we want to take up the challenge!
With the kindling of the Olympics Torch in Greece, the countdown to the approaching Olympiad has started. We, as bearers of the ancient, current and future torch – the eternal Torah, are not counting down, we are counting up: Today is the fourty seventh day of the Omer, tomorrow will be the fourty eighth day of the Omer, and so on – we always add a rung to the ladder, we reinforce our commitment to our Torah with another layer, we add another dimension to our life by getting into shape and to be on the ready to become worthy receivers of the Torah, which is our guiding light and life coach. Be there! Good Yom Tov.
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