Shalom and Bracha!

   Wednesday, June 8^th and Thursday June 9^th are Shavuot, when we celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Wednesday morning the narrative of the giving of the Torah is read in the synagogue, and it is important that everyone be there for the reading. When we received the Torah, we promised Hashem that we would bring up our children to follow the Torah. It is very significant that children be present when the Torah is read Wednesday morning.
 

  The Previous Rebbe would always give the blessing Kabbalat Hatorah B’simcha Ubpnimiyut (receiving the Torah with joy and inner meaning.) The blessing has many lessons. Shavuot is the day the Torah was given. The Torah describes at length splendor of the giving of the Torah. The Rebbe reminds us that our job is to receive the Torah, to dedicate ourselves to study and absorb the Torah.
 

The Rebbe stresses that the receiving of the Torah should be with joy. We can view the Torah as a burden or a privilege. When we carry heavy suitcases it’s a burden. When we discover that the suitcases are full of diamonds that we can keep the burden becomes a pleasure. Every Mitzvah is a diamond, a precious gift from Hashem. Joy is critical to service of Hashem. Every Mitzvah should be imbued with joy simply because we are coming closer to Hashem. In a deeper sense, true joy is only through the Torah. When we feel pain, we can heal the cause or mask the pain. Healing the cause is real. The Torah teaches us how to live in the world create perfect harmony between our bodies, our souls, Hashem, and our surroundings. It takes work, but it is true joy.
 

  The Rebbe stresses that we should receive the Torah in a manner that we internalize it. There are three pillars of service of Hashem: Torah study, prayer and Mitzvot. When we study the Torah, Hashem’s wisdom becomes a part of our minds data base. The more that we learn and remember, the more wisdom of Hashem that is within us. Further, Chassidut explains that the intellect and the emotions are connected. When we contemplate the teachings of the Torah, the mind awakens the heart and we begin to perceive things through Hashem’s eyes and our emotions are elevated. We truly become a divine people. This is the way we must receive the Torah; seeking to retain as much as possible and to internalize everything that we learn.
 

  The days of Shavuot are a special time of Hashem’s protection and blessings. May Hashem grant the greatest blessing the coming of Moshiach, when we will reach the new depths of Torah that only Moshiach can reveal.

Chag Sameach,

Rabbi Biggs

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