Rabbi Howard Morrison

This past Sunday was Rosh Chodesh Sivan. With the onset of the new month a few days ago, we already began preparing for Shavuot, which begins Thursday night.

It is noteworthy that on Rosh Chodesh, I participated in a baby naming at 8:30am, a Bar and Bat Mitzvah at 10:30am, and a wedding at 5:30pm. In all three lifecycle events, I impressed on those present that Shavuot is the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar. It is ironic that Shavuot is possibly the most neglected of all the holidays. Is it because Shavuot lacks dramatic ritual, as compared to holidays which have a Shofar, Sukkah, Chanukiah, or Seder? Is it because Shavuot comes and goes so quickly, one day in Israel and two days in the Diaspora? Is it because the main aspect of Shavuot is expressed in the study of Torah, notwithstanding some loose customs such as eating dairy (the Torah is compared to milk and honey)?

Yet, the main theme of Shavuot is "Zman Matan Torateinu - the season of the giving of our Torah." Without Shavuot and the giving of the Torah, there would be no understanding of Shabbat, kashrut, holidays, lifecycle, ethics, etc. Shavuot is the foundational holiday from which everything else in Judaism is derived. 

With Shavuot upon us, I encourage us to consider what Torah means to us? What is our expression of Torah? and how will it grow in the coming season?

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Howard Morrison