Living Torah Archives

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

The days between Passover and Shavuos correspond to the Israelites’ journey from Egypt in the lead up to receiving the Torah at Sinai. The closer they came to their goal, the more their anticipation grew.

The Rebbe addresses members of the N’shei Chabad women’s movement in the lead up to Shavuos.

In ancient times, thousands of Jews with offerings in hand would make the pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the festival of Shavuot. For those who weren’t able to bring their offerings in the Temple on the holiday itself, some more time was allotted afterward, known as the days of Tashlumin.

To many, Judaism represents intellectualism, analysis, study, and questioning. While it’s true that as Jews, we place great emphasis on a critical education, there’s another necessary ingredient before we’re ready for any of that.

When Rabbi Yoel Kahn discovered that his Shabbos guest had crossed the International Date Line during the Omer Count, he realized that for him, that Shabbos was already the fiftieth day of the Omer, and the festival of Shavuos. Uncertain of what his guest should do, he advised him to consult the Rebbe. (1961)

Shavuos celebrates the Giving of the Torah at Sinai. Jews in every generation gather to hear the reading of the Ten Commandments, for on this day they receive renewed strength in their mission to brighten G-d’s world.

The Jewish people studied Torah and observed its precepts long before they actually became obligated in them at Sinai. Moreover, the Ten Commandments were composed largely of laws already commanded to the non-Jewish world. What, then, was so important about the giving of the Torah at Sinai?

In this day and age, women and girls–even very little girls–study parts of the Torah which in the past they’d rely on their husbands or brothers to know.

The Giving of the Torah on the holiday of Shavuot is G-d’s marriage to the Jewish People.

“G-d desired to bring merit upon the Jewish people; therefore He gave them Torah and Mitzvos in abundance.” G-d is certain that we will use the great opportunity He offers us to make Him proud. Thus laden with a treasure-load of good deeds, good words and good thoughts, we prepare ourselves to receive the Torah—in all its richness—on Shavuos.