Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Getting Ready for Shavuos


There are many preparations we make for every Shabbos and Yom Tov, spiritually and physically. Here’s some advice from Reb Noson on how we can prepare to receive the “light” of Shavuos, this year and every year!

From Likutey Halakhos, Minchah 7:54, as found in the Rav of Tcherin’s Otzar ha-Yirah (AKA Likutey Eitzos Hameshulosh), “Shalom vi-Achdus: Atzas Shalom,” sec. 15.
Translated by Dovid Sears

All true Torah chiddushim (novel insights) are constrictions and wondrous spiritual vessels, by means of which the Infinite Light is drawn down [to be available to the human mind in this world of limitation] in a measured way, as is appropriate.

However, the prerequisite for this is that many Jewish souls join together in love—because the Divine Light needs a multitude of vessels. For this can only be achieved when thousands and myriads of souls join together in love, “as one person,” to the point that they are capable of collectively receiving this great light in a measured way. It all depends on the revelation of light and its manner of elicitation.

This is the “secret” as to why the Torah could not have been received [at Mount Sinai] until 600,000 Israelites assembled there in love and peace.


Our sages state on the verse, “And Israel camped there…” (Exodus 19:2, noting that the word “camped” is written in the singular)—“like one man with one heart” (Rashi, ad loc.). Similarly, our sages comment on the verse, “Return, Hashem, to the myriads of thousands of Israel” (Numbers 10:36)—“the Shekhinah does not rest on lest than two myriads and two thousands (22,000)” (Rashi, ad loc.). For everything is in keeping with the light that is drawn down, according to the gathering of many Jewish souls in love and peace.

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