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The Talmud quotes Rav Yosef who said about Shavuot: “If not for this day, how many Yosefs would wander the market?”

Related Text:	שיחות קודש: ערב חג השבועות, תשל''ב תורת מנחם: אור לה' סיון, ערב חג השבועות, ה'תשל"ב
Topics:	Giving of the Torah, Shavuot, Talks by the Rebbe: אור לה' סיון, ערב חג השבועות, ה'תשל"ב, Lubavitcher Rebbe

A True Scholar

Disc 193, Program 770

Event Date: 4 Sivan 5732 - May 17, 1972

The Talmud in Pesachim quotes Rav Yosef exulting the holiday of Shavuos when the Jews received the Torah: “Said Rav Yosef, “If not for this day, how many Yosefs would wander the market?” If the Talmud notes the name of a sage, the name obviously has some relevance, and can add meaning to the teaching. So in the case of the teaching, why is Rav Yosef mentioned?

In nature’s view of the world, we seem to be mere beneficiaries, not contributors. Who can add to the world? Seemingly, only God Himself. However, Torah teaches that God ingrained within us the power to be able to contribute through our own labor, and this idea is called “Yosef–to add;” with the power of Torah, we can contribute to the world, even transforming the physical to sublime.

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David Harold Chester Petach Tikva, Israel June 10, 2024

The name Yousef in Hebrew means to gather. So the reason for choosing to apply this name means that one should gather good knowledge and understanding at this time. As we progress through the Jewish year we pass various stages:

Philosophy of Change

Change brings pain—again and again.
Pain brings suffering—uttering, muttering
Suffering brings tolerance—with much endurance.
Tolerance brings thinking—and good ideas linking.
Thinking brings knowledge—saves going to college.
Knowledge brings understanding—sensibility expanding.
Understanding brings wisdom—and where it comes from.
And wisdom makes life bearable—happily declarable! Reply

Stanislav Apatovsky Haifa June 10, 2024

Glory to our Lord! To the Lord of our people! O Lord of Israel and of the whole world since the creation of the world! Reply

Jerry Scranton May 20, 2021

Barch Hashem ... timely and highly relevant as always. What a beautiful name - Yosef - with such depth. tizku l'mitzvos! Reply

Chaya Brooklyn May 19, 2021

I would like to understand what does the "shuk" have to do as well with the sicha? Reply

משה גדלי' ליעבערמאנן Sydney June 10, 2024

in response to Chaya:

Re: I would like to understand what does the "shuk" have to do as well with the sicha?

The connection to the "shuk" (market) in my understanding of the Rebbe's sicha is that Rav Yosef is highlighting the significance of Torah in giving us individuality i.e. free will, and the capacity to make meaningful contributions to the world.

Without Torah, we might think we are merely automatons or bots, lacking determinism to make choices and draw G‑dliness into the physical.

The phrase "kama Yosef ikka b'shuka" can be seen as a metaphor for the uniformity and lack of distinction that would prevail without the Torah's guidance, where we would all be thought of as mere "bacteria" or "algorithms" - lacking purpose, and devoid of agency. In contrast, with Torah, we are made aware of our free will and are thus empowered to exercise it to add value to the world.

ויהי רצון... שיבנה בית המקדש במהרה בימינו ותן חלקנו בתורתיך Reply

Moish L. Sydney June 10, 2024

in response to Chaya:

In the embedded video above of the Rebbe delivering the sicha, the Rebbe specifically elaborates on the concept of "shuk" in context.

הפף בה והפך בה דכולה בה Reply

Yisroel June 10, 2024

in response to Chaya:

Hear over the last 2 min, you"ll understand Reply

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