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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.
There are Jews we love, Jews we avoid, and Jews we quietly write off. Rabbi Shimon bar Yochaiâs teaching about three who eat at one table becomes personal when we look at his own family story: A tzaddik, a controversial son, and a grandson pulled out of real darkness. This class is about a Torah that brings all three to the same table and teaches us how to make space for every kind of Jew.
âG-d desired to bring merit upon the Jewish people; therefore He gave them Torah and
Mitzvos in abundance.â 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 Torahâin all its richnessâon 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
âOn 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 Ezekielâs vision of the âdivine chariotâ 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 â not withstanding the obligation to feast on these days â 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 Shavuotâthe 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 Torahâa 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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