The last chapter of the Pirkei Avot, which we recite this Shabbat, before the holiday of Shavuot, is all about the teachings of our sages concerning the value and merit of studying the Torah. Pirkei Avot: Rabbi Yehoshua, son of Levi said, Every day a heavenly voice goes forth from Mount Chorev (Mount Sinai), saying, Woe to the created beings for offending the Torah. When the Torah relates the story of the Giving of the Torah it says that G-ds voice was, A great voice that never stopped (vlo yosaf). G-ds voice continued even after the Giving of the Torah and every day, for the past 3,000 years, G-d calls from Mount Sinai to every Jew to study and observe the Torah. What is the purpose of this G-dly calling, when we do not hear it? According to the Baal Shem Tov, whose yartzeit is on Shavuot, our soul which is a spark from G-d and is constantly connected to G-d, hears this voice and in turn, at times, it also penetrates to our consciousness. This is why, a Jew may out of nowhere, become inspired to be more spiritual, to study Torah; to attend synagogue etc. It comes from being awakened by the G-dly call. In the same chapter we are told that Rabbi Yossi ben Kisma was offered to live in a city were there was no Torah study. He was promised great wealth, if he only agreed to live amongst them. Rabbi Yossi realized that they didnt need him to live among them in order that he would teach them Torah, only so that by supporting him they would have a clear conscience for their not studying Torah. He refused. Rabbi Yossi said to them, Even if you were to give me all the silver and gold, precious stones and pearls in the world, I would only dwell in a place of Torah... For when the time comes for a person to pass away from this world, neither silver nor gold nor precious stones nor pearls accompany him. Only Torah and good deeds. A man brings a very fine piece of material to the tailor to make him a pair of pants. He comes back two weeks later, but the pants are not ready. He waits another two weeks, still not ready. Finally, two months later the pants are ready. The man tries them on and they fit perfectly. Before paying, he couldnt resist giving the tailor a jibe. You know, it took G-d only six days to create the world and it took you two months to make one pair of pants? How can you compare, replied the tailor. Look at this perfect pair of pants, and look at the world...! Our sages say that G-d created the world unfinished. It is up to us to finish it and make it perfect. In observing G-ds commandments we make the world a better place and become partners with G-d in creation. This is what Shavuot is about. G-d gave us the Torah to give us direction and purpose for our being and to make the universe a better place. Moshiach NOW!!!
Posted on: Thu, 29 May 2014 03:43:46 +0000
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