Receiving the Torah Together

We will shortly, with HaShem’s help, celebrate the festival of Shavuot – the Revelation at Sinai, the Giving of the Torah. The verse states, “VaYichan, and they encamped, at the foot of the mountain (Sinai).” Rashi teaches that the word VaYichan implies the singular, as one person, whereas it seemingly should have read “they encamped,” referring to the entire nation. He explains that all of Israel was united. Reb Noson writes that it was this unity among all Israel that enabled them to receive the Torah.

In the Shulchan Arukh we find that the Parshah of BaMidbar is read on the Shabbos before Shavuot. The symbol for this is “manu v’Atzru” – “count and then gather.” That is, prior to the festival of Atzeret (Shavuot), count the Jews. In the opening passages of BaMidbar, we find the command to count each Jew in every tribe, teaching that each Jew is important and must be included in the census of Israel.

Reb Noson adds that it is when we recognize the importance of each individual—no matter his lineage, no matter which tribe he is from, no matter his past—then we can come to acknowledge and receive the Torah. For each person has his own perception, and we must be able to view the Torah through the many lenses of the nation. We find in the Talmud that there were disputes regarding many laws, yet all the Mishnaic and Talmudic rabbis treated one another with friendship and respect, honoring each other’s opinions. So too, we must maintain our own ideas while still respecting and honoring the views of others.

The reason is that each person has great value! As a nation, we cannot appreciate the greatness and vastness of the Torah if we lack mutual respect for one another. Conversely, if we begin to honor and respect others, we begin the necessary process of joining and uniting the nation together. I don’t have to agree with you, but I must respect you.

Rebbe Nachman therefore teaches that when people are at peace with one another, and converse peacefully and respectfully, the truth will emerge. Then all will come to recognize the truth of the Torah and, by extension, the truth of Hashem.

We will then ourselves merit a personal revelation of HaShem through the Torah that we have received!

Have a great Yom Tov!