CLAL Holy Days

Welcome to CLAL Holy Days, the place where you will find the latest thoughts and reflections by CLAL faculty and associates on upcoming Jewish holidays.

Studying Together on Shavuot

If we say "I was a slave in Egypt" during Passover, shouldn’t we say be saying "I was free at the foot of Sinai" on Shavuot? For on Shavuot, we celebrate the moment when we stood at Sinai and became a people. Just as the Passover seder allows us to experience slavery and freedom together, studying together with Jews from diverse communities on the eve of Shavuot allows us to reenact the time we all stood at the foot of the mountain In sacred conversation, we challenge each other to see our ancient text anew. We celebrate our unity by asking the questions we can’t answer alone.

Meditation:

One God,

One people,

One mountain,

One book.

Many voices.

Ma tovu

How good it is:

One people, together.

Ritual:

Step One:

Invite friends of diverse Jewish experiences and backgrounds to study together on or in preparation for Shavuot. This tradition evening of study is called a tikkun leil Shavuot.

Step Two:

Consider the following text, ancient in origin but contemporary in its relevance, as a starting point for discussion. In a small group, or with a partner, read aloud this description of the experience at Sinai from a classic medieval commentary.

When the Holy One spoke, each and every person in Israel could say, "The Divine Word is addressing me." Rabbi Yosi the son of Hanina said: Do not be surprised by this idea. For when manna came down to feed Israel, each person tasted it according to their capacity. For infants it was like mother’s milk, for the young it was like bread with oil and honey, and for the old like a honey cracker. What is true about the manna is also true about the Divine Word. Therefore the Holy One said: "Do not be misled if you hear many voices. Know that I am the One, God for each of you."

(adapted from Pesikta de Rav Kahana 12:25)

Step Three:

Ask each other: How do we relate our lives to this text?

It may help to recall a moment in your own life when you "tasted" or understood a deep truth with your fullest capacity. What happened? What did you understand? How did this moment change you? Share your responses to these questions in your conversations.

Step Four:

Return to Sinai. At Sinai, we had an experience that was both personal and shared.

Ask as part of your conversation: How do our contemporary stories unify us?

What, on their deepest level, do our experiences have in common?

Blessing:

(Before you study)

Barukh ata Adonai eloheinu melekh ha’olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav vitzianu la’asok b’divrei torah.

Praised are You, Source of all, who makes our lives holy through mitzvot and calls us to study Torah together.

Teaching:

May the words of Torah be pleasing to us and to CLAL Yisrael. May we and all who come after us know You with delight by studying Torah together. (adapted from BT: Brakhot 11b)

"Why are the words of Torah like fire? A fire is built by many logs and the words of Torah survive only through many minds." (adapted from Talmud, Ta’anit 7)

When ten people study Torah together, the Divine Presence hovers over them.

(CLAL Faculty)