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An hour-long excerpt from a 1982 farbrengen
Each year, the Rebbe would hold a Farbrengen the night before Shavuot, often touching on topics from Tractate Sotah in the Talmud, which is customarily studied during the Counting of the Omer period, as well as discussing the lessons of the approaching holiday.
An hour-long excerpt from a 1982 farbrengen
Each year, the Rebbe would hold a Farbrengen the night before Shavuot, often touching on topics from Tractate Sotah in the Talmud, which is customarily studied during the Counting of the Omer period, as well as discussing the lessons of the approaching holiday.
What do you do when life stops making sense? Rabbi Yaakov’s grandfather, Elisha ben Avuyah, abandoned Judaism over a question he couldn’t resolve. Rabbi Yaakov faced the same pain and found a way to stay rooted. In this class, we explore his teaching that this world is a hallway before the palace and how that perspective helps us live with steadiness, hope, and faith when the answers don’t come.
“G-d desired to bring merit upon the Jewish people; therefore He gave them Torah and
Mitzvos in abundance.” G-d is certain that we will use the great opportunity He offers us to
make Him proud. Thus laden with a treasure-load of good deeds, good words and good
thoughts, we prepare ourselves to receive the Torah—in all its richness—on Shavuos.
Part 1: The Mountain of Sinai
You may already know that the giving of the Torah -- which we celebrate on the holiday of Shavuot -- took place at Sinai. But what is Sinai? The Torah speaks of a wilderness called Sinai as well as a mountain by the same name. What is the difference between the desert and the mountain? And how does that shape our understanding of what happened there years ago?
Part 2: The Desert of Sinai
You may already know that the giving of the Torah -- which we celebrate on the holiday of Shavuot -- took place at Sinai. But what is Sinai? The Torah speaks of a wilderness called Sinai as well as a mountain by the same name. What is the difference between the desert and the mountain? And how does that shape our understanding of what happened there years ago?
Parsha Naso
“On the second day Netanel Ben Tzuar, the prince of Yissachar, offered. He offered his sacrifice ." (Numbers 7:18-19) Why is the word "offered" (hikriv) written twice? Also, why in the second time it's written is it missing a yud? Discover the connection between the missing yud and the holiday of Shavuot which celebrates the giving of the Torah.
The Haftorah of Shavuot
Why Ezekiel’s vision of the “divine chariot” is the chosen haftorah reading on Shavuos, when it would appear that other scriptural passages that refer directly to the giving of the Torah would make a more appropriate choice, inasmuch as Ezekiel makes no such reference at all! (Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 33, p. 18.)
The Torah was given to us through Moshe, G-d's most faithful servant. And every single Jew, boy or girl, inherits the torah for himself or herself. Whether they have studied Torah for years, or only know a very little bit, it is their inheritance - to learn and to keep, the very nicest present that G-d gave.
The Essence of Shavuot
If one had a disturbingly ominous dream, Halachah allows one to fast even on a Sabbath or Festival – not withstanding the obligation to feast on these days – since the person is distressed over his dream, he would derive 'pleasure' from fasting and not from eating. The one exception to the rule is Shavuot—the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. On Shavuot one must eat! This appears strange, given that all the other festivals celebrate a physical, bodily salvation, whereas Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah—a profoundly spiritual event?! The answer explores the nature of pleasure and the essence of Shavuot. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23 pp. 27)
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