Tonight, we accept the Torah.
In a few hours, Shavuos begins.
There is so much going on in our lives.
Parents, children, spouse, work, health, world events. There is enough to keep us stressed, worried, and sometimes even paralyzed from the decisions and action needed to function. Some people have this less, others have it more, but I’d be shocked to find the person who doesn’t have something going on in their immediate life that worries them.
But what grounds us? What is constant every single day? What leaves us feeling energized and fulfilled, and so often thinking... how could I get more of this?
Daily Torah learning.
תּוֹרַת ה' תְּמִימָה מְשִׁיבַת נָפֶשׁ “The Torah of Hashem is perfect, restoring the soul.”
Whether it’s a Mishnah, a Daf Bavli, a Daf Yerushalmi, a Seif of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, an Amud of Oraysa or Amud HaYomi, a line of Gemara with Kinyan Masechta, a daily halacha of Chofetz Chaim, a Perek of Nach Yomi, there isn’t anything else in the world that gives the same satisfaction.
The Torah was given on Har Sinai, in the desert, with ear-splitting noise, and that’s exactly the dynamic. The ability to have rocky days, painful moments, feelings of hopelessness, and at the very same time to experience the highest levels of satisfaction, fulfillment, and joy.
We need to tap into these feelings. We need to daven and beg Hashem, וְהַעֲרֶב נָא, “Please make sweet” the words of Torah in our mouths. These moments come when we’re focused and undistracted in our learning, even for just a few minutes a day.
This Shavuos, we should merit to savor the מְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ, “sweeter than honey,” of Torah.
This Shavuos, we should live the promise we say daily: לְמַעַן לֹא נִיגַע לָרִיק וְלֹא נֵלֵד לַבֶּהָלָה, “that we shall not labor in vain, nor produce for futility.”
And finally, this Shavuos, we should all be zoche to receive the Torah with simcha, with clarity, and with a renewed cheshek to make it the anchor of our every single day.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be a part of your daily Torah learning.
A Gut Yom Tov. Chag Sameach.
Moshe Schwed & the All Torah Team
P.S. We’re at 137 of our 250 Daily Partners, and tonight is the last chance to join before Shavuos. $360, one dollar for every day of the year. Every partner is entered into the drawing for one of two complete ArtScroll Shnayim Yomi sets. alltorah.org/donate
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