Hello Friends and welcome to Torah Thoughts from Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa, based in Mason City. A reminder
that services and our Midrash for June will take place on the 23rd and 24th. Services will be Friday evening at 7:00PM and our Midrash (Study Session) will take place on Shabbat the 24th at 10:00AM both at the shul. Hope to see you.
This week, the 25th and 26th, we'll be observing Shavout which means "weeks". This holiday commemorates Israel's receiving of the Torah. It's been a 49 day "countdown" or seven weeks since Passover. We now reach Shavout on the 50th day. In the shul we read the story of the revelation at Sinai where G-d came down from the mountain and communicated directly with Israel, giving the Ten Commandments and our unique mission to G-d and to all humanity. We also read the Book of Ruth which tells the story of one of Israel's first converts.
While there are no specific mitzvot (commandments) to fulfill on Shavout, people will stay up all night studying Torah and eating dairy foods. Do we get a YES for...Cheesecake? Have a meaningful holiday.
Torah Portion
This week we read Exodus 19:1 - 20:23. It is the portion of the Torah that answers the question, "Did G-d really speak to the entire nation of Israel at Sinai?" The clear answer is a resounding "Yes!" and it has been our answer for 3,000 years.
However most people believe that G-d gave the Torah only to Moses and then Moses shared it with the people. No doubt that idea comes from the famous movie "The Ten Commandments". However it's clear that Cecil B. DeMille didn't read the original account.
The version found in the Torah is quite different. The Torah's claim is that the entire people heard G-d speak at Mount Sinai, experiencing national revelation. G-d did not just appear to Moses in a private rendezvous; He appeared to everyone, some 3 million people. This claim is mentioned many times in the Torah.
Oh Yeah...Where?
Here are three examples for you:
"G-d spoke to you from the midst of the fire, you were hearing the sound of words, but you were not seeing a form, only a sound. He told you of His covenant, instructing you to keep the Ten Commandments, and He inscribed them on two stone tablets." Deut. 4:9 - 13)
"You have been shown in order to know that G-d, He is the Supreme Being. There is none besides Him. From heaven he let you hear His voice in order to teach you, and on earth He showed you His great fire, and you heard His words amid the fire." Deut. 4:32 - 36)
"Moses called all of Israel and said to them: 'Hear, O Israel, the decrees and the ordinances that I speak in your ears today – learn them, and be careful to perform them. The Lord your G-d sealed a covenant with us at Horev [Mount Sinai]. Not with our forefathers did G-d seal this covenant, but with us – we who are here, all of us alive today. Face to face did G-d speak with you on the mountain from amid the fire." Deut. 5: 1-4)
Happy Shavout and Shabbat Shalom!
Finally, may you have a safe and meaningful Memorial Day Weekend. Please remember this isn't all about mattress sales. It is a day to remember and be grateful to those who gave their lives that we might live our lives in this nation.
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