Intermediate Talmud: The Giving of the Torah at Sinai

In this Talmud class we’re onto a Shavuot track with teachings from Tractate Shabbat (87a) that narrate the events preceding the revelation at Sinai, and records a dispute over the exact date of this historic day. The cause for this difference of opinion was the divergent opinions regarding the lunar cycle, but as a result, Moses emerges as a unique prophet who was able to figure out the will of G-d on his own.

In this Talmud class we analyze the rest of the actions Moshe Rabbeinu appears to have unilaterally ordained, in addition to adding an extra day of preparation for Revelation at Sinai. See just how Moses, the unparalleled master prophet deduced the will of G-d and (although uninstructed) chose to embrace a life of celibacy from Matan Torah onward, and elected to shatter the Luchot upon seeing the Jewish people’s spiritual debauchment in worshipping the hastily fashioned Golden Calf! (Talmud Tractate Shabbat pg. 87)

This class analyses the dispute between Rebbi Yose and the Sages regarding the actual date for the Revelation at Sinai. In seeking greater clarity we delve into the Scripture’s detailed description of the necessary preparations that seem to suggest conflicting dates for the actual giving of the Torah. It’s filled with robust cross-examination, analysis, and rebuttal, and that ultimately leads to relative resolution!

Despite the dispute about the exact date of the Sinai Anniversary, everyone agrees that the Torah was given on Shabbat. In this class we learn about the first time the mitzvah of Shabbat was given to the Jewish people, at a desert oasis named Mara. But here’s the catch: did the initial observance of Shabbat forbid travel, or was that a later addition in the developmental journey of Yiddishkeit? Take a voyage in the proverbial sea of Talmud, and be amazed to find out how this passage of time evolved!

The Talmud continues its quest for the exact date of Matan Torah by carefully analysing scriptural framing of historical events. This class provides profound insight into the workings of the Jewish calendar, which ultimately render the drawing of a precise scheduling conclusion impossible.

Citing historical anecdotal evidence as it's documented in authentic Torah sources would seem to conclusively prove the date of Matan Torah. However, in the end it seems that certain documentation ultimately reflects a particular school of thought. This class also introduces us to Judaism's emphasis on the unique virtues of the number three.

The straightforward Torah narrative indicates collective willingness and joyous commitment by our ancestors; however Midrashic tradition seems to tell a very different story, which includes coercion by dint of extraordinary pressure and extreme consequences. Accordingly, the Jewish people did not fully except the Torah willingly until the historic Purim period. Will the truth please rise? This incisive Talmudic teaching provides context and clarity on Matan Torah in the sweep of Jewish history.

Prior to mass revelation at Sinai, our ancestors were asked if they were ready to become the recipients of the Torah. Unanimously, we responded with the [now] famous declaration “Na’aseh v’Nishma; first “we’ll do” (obey), and then “we’ll listen” (learn).” This remarkable response created an incredible spiritual energy field; crowning us in holiness. Sadly this was subsequently lost, when a Golden Calf was fashioned and worshiped a short forty days later. Discover the deeper messages this conveys, and see how it’s actually still relevant today!

The Talmud continues to present homiletic analysis and insight into our faithful acceptance and unquestioning readiness to obey when we exclaimed, “We’ll Do and Listen,” before knowing what it was all about! Rather than an important historic happening, our Sages see it as a defining watershed moment; indicative of our essential Jewish character and spiritual persona. Discover how what seems to be impulsive and impetuous or even wild behavior is actually a foundational hallmark of our unique relationship with G-d and His Torah.

The Talmud introduces us to the relationship dimension of Matan Torah framed as the proverbial Chupah or metaphoric wedding of G-d and the Jewish People. To be sure, none of this is explicitly described or even alluded to in the actual biblical narrative of the Sinai, yet our sacred tradition maintains that King Solomon’s Song of Songs is mostly metaphor for exactly that loving dynamic. Appropriately, we now delve into the teachings of our Sages on several of those enigmatic verses.

In the quest to learn more about our nation’s unique and unparalleled Sinai experience; climaxing in the world’s-only-ever Mass Revelation, Rabbi Yochanan leads us in investigating a particularly enigmatic verse of King David’s Psalm 68. Be amazed at the surprising discoveries about The Ten Commandments being broadcast in mind-boggling bandwidth, which all seems so superfluous—until we uncover its fascinating and foundational spiritual purpose!

Learn how fiery rock-shattering metaphors for Torah teachings are emblematic of Divinely-ordained diversity, poised to permeate all of existence with holiness. Likened to a governing force, Torah is cast as wielding powerful dominion containing the sources of success, failures and even our very existence as it can be absorbed as a life-elixir, or heaven forefend become a deadly poison for those who might abuse it! The crowning conclusion of this fascinating exposition about the Giving of the Torah, tells of G-d’s word being tangibly experienced and distilled into a halo-like realities that crowned our ancestors as they received Mass Revelation at Mount Sinai.

Three incredibly revealing teachings from Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi about the profound love and spiritual intimacy we experienced as a nation during and following mass-revelation and the giving of the “10 Commandments” at Mount Sinai. (Tractate Shabbat, pg 88b)

The day Moses outmaneuvered the Heavenly Choir! (Tractate Shabbat, pg 88b)