Shavuot

Shavuot is the holiday when we celebrate the greatest day in human history. The Revelation on Mount Sinai when all of Israel heard G-d speak was unparalleled in human history.

We acknowledge the giving of the Torah that followed this great event. Moshe Rabbeinu defied human potential when he went up the mountain for forty days and forty nights. He did not eat bread, nor did he drink the water.

It is important to recognize that both the Oral Law and Written Law were given on Sinai.

The Oral Law was unique as it was left to be uncovered by future scholars. If someone were to come up with a “Chiddush,” a new and novel interpretation not said before, he has unlocked some of that Torah that was given at Sinai.

Rav Chaim of Voloshin made this point rather dramatically. He said that he was willing to forego all of his prayers that he ever uttered, in exchange for one new Halacha from the Gemara.

He was explaining that when one is absorbed at uncovering the truths of the Talmud to the extent that he is inspired to reveal a new Halacha, it shows that he has elevated himself to a very high level.

Prayers are generally related to asking for our worldly needs. We would like good health, sustenance, to see our children marry, etc. But the deep study of Talmud, the Oral Law demonstrates that this student has becoming absorbed in something completely spiritual. While he is absorbed in his studies, he manages to close off the material world completely.

He is now connected to the Torah given at Sinai. He is rewarded by revealing something that nobody has revealed until this time.

We often forget the importance of the Oral Law. This is unfortunate because it allows us to minimize the importance of Halacha and how it alone reflects the ultimate truth. Shavuot reminds us of the recognition that both the Oral Law and Written Law were given on that great day at Mount Sinai.