Archive for the Shavuos Category

What did Moshe receive at Sinai, machloches, rules for psak. To view the PDF on mobile click

Author: Nachman Elsant 1)      The Torah was not given to individuals it was given to one unified nation. Spend 5 minutes a day thinking what you could do to promote unity amongst the Jewish nation. Chose a plan and start taking steps to bring it to action, 2)      Go

One of the most prominent features of Shavuos is the universal Minhag (custom) for men to stay awake all night learning Torah.  The Magen Avraham explains the reason for this Minhag; he brings Chazal who say that the Jewish people went to sleep on the night of Matan Torah (the giving of the Torah)

The Gemara in Pesachim teaches us a fascinating lesson about Shavuos; the Gemara brings a machlokes (disagreement) between Rebbe Yehoshua and Rebbe Eliezer with regard to how a person should conduct himself on the Yamim Tovim.  Rebbe Yehoshua holds that one should devote part of his time to spiritual pursuits,

Shavuos is a time of appreciation for the giving of the Torah. On Shavuos, we demonstrate our love of Torah by spending the whole night immersed in the greatest mitzvah, that of Torah study. As we approach this holy day, it is important to develop an accurate

In the April issue of Commentary, a scholar dared to raise one of the few remaining issues still considered impolite these days for public discussion: Jewish intelligence. In an essay entitled “Jewish Genius,” political scientist and writer Charles Murray – who is not Jewish – outlines the

A Chag Called ‘Weeks’? Rav Yaakov Weinberg ZTL once said a shmues which he was mechadesh(it seemed) on the Yom Tov of Shavuos itself and he was very excited about the chiddush. He asked, what kind of a name do we give the Yom Tov of Kabbalas HaTorah. Shavuos-Weeks? Wouldn’t you

Passover has its Seder. Purim has its Megillah Reading. Chanukah has its Menorah. Sukkot has its Sukkah. Shavuot, however, seems to be quite a barren holiday in terms of mitzvot, rituals, and commandments. True, many have a custom to remain awake the entire night studying Torah on

The holiday of Shavuot is upon us. It is a funny holiday. Although it is one of the three main festival holidays along with Passover and Succot, little is know about it amongst non-observant Jews. This is strange given the fact that it commemorates the most important

I once had a dramatic demonstration of the close link between the loss of faith in the future and this dangerous giving up. F?, my senior block warden, a fairly well known composer and librettist, confided in me one day: “I would like to tell you something,

Preparations Shmos 19:10 Immersion (Ibn Ezra, Rashi 24:6) Shmos 19:12 Set boundaries Shmos 19:15 Separate from physical relationsThe Mountain Shmos 19:16 “And it came to pass on the 3rd day, when it was morning, that there were thunderbolts and flashes of lightning and a heavy cloud upon

It is the time of year that we stop and commemorate the anniversary of the giving of the Torah. But is it merely marking a time where we received a book? It is much more. Shavuos brings not only celebration, but a deep reminder of how the

Chapter 4 Author: Rabbi Moshe Cohen 4:1 Why did Boaz not speak privately to Tov? He was afraid that Tov would stall for time, and Ruth would have to endure the pain of waiting for an uncertain outcome. This was intolerable. Therefore he went up to the Sanhedrin

Chapter 3 Author: Rabbi Moshe Cohen 3:1 We do not see that Naomi made any effort for Rus other than telling her to trust in HaShem. The harvest was at an end and still Boaz had not given any indication that he would be the redeemer. Furthermore now

Chapter 2 Author: Rabbi Moshe Cohen 2:1 Note the contrast: Ruth and Naomi are isolated and helpless. Boaz is a wealthy man. He does not offer his help. They do not beg. “ool’Naomi modah leesha” This perek begins by informing us that they had a rich and influential

Chapter 1 Author: Rabbi Moshe Cohen Why do we read Ruth on Shavuos? There are several standard answers: The story takes place at the beginning of the barley harvest and continues until the end of the wheat harvest. Just as the Jewish people entered into a bris

V’hayu nechonim l’yom hashlishi (Shomos 19: 11). And you should prepare yourselves for the giving of the Torah on the third day. The Torah’s introduction to kabolas Hatorah contains the secret of successfully ascertaining Torah knowledge, hashkofah, and becoming a true Torah personality. Every morning in birchas

2. G-D And Emunah – Ikrei Emunah – Kiddush Hashem AND 9. Chumash And Nach – Chumash – 3. Vayikra – 8. Parsha Emor ————————————————————————————— To Climb the Highest Mountain Parshat Emor 7. Shabbos And Chagim – Shavuos ——————————————————— Shavuot R. Simcha Barnett The holiday of Shavuot