The Yom Tov of Shavuos, though only one day (two outside of Eretz Yisrael), has many aspects to it.\u00a0 One aspect is our celebration of the greatest of gifts that Hashem has bestowed upon us: Torah.\u00a0 Learning and living Torah is our greatest and deepest connection to Hashem: It enables us to live a life of meaning and purpose with every thought, word, and action throughout our lives.<\/p>\n
A second aspect is that Shavuos is a day of judgment for the spiritual.\u00a0 What new opportunities will we be granted to increase the revelation of Hashem\u2019s Glory in the coming year?\u00a0 What enhanced role might we play in helping others: nationally, communally, and individually? \u00a0Our new \u201cassignments\u201d and opportunities are decided on this day.\u00a0 Certainly, our ability and that of our loved ones, to learn, teach, spread, support, and live Torah weigh heavily on our minds on this day.\u00a0 As with Rosh HaShanah, the judgment day for our material needs, Shavuos is a day we must invest great efforts in our\u00a0tefilos<\/em>\u00a0for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for all of our brothers and sisters, especially those who are currently unable to\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0for themselves and their loved ones.<\/p>\n We present two segments from our\u00a0Ahavah Rabah<\/em>\u00a0series.\u00a0 This\u00a0brachah<\/em>, which we recite before\u00a0Shema<\/em>\u00a0in the morning, has great meaning and impact every day.\u00a0 Many great people say this\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0fervently and passionately every day of the year.\u00a0 Certainly, on this day, we all need to rise to the challenge.\u00a0 Many\u00a0shuls<\/em>\u00a0will allow more time for this\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0on Shavuos.\u00a0 If your\u00a0shul<\/em>\u00a0does not, consider getting a head start and\u00a0davening<\/em>\u00a0ahead to give yourself more time.<\/p>\n May we all merit a sweet judgment and an even greater opportunity to come closer to Hashem and deepen our connection with Him in the coming year.<\/p>\n Torah: The Air We Breathe<\/strong><\/p>\n \u05d0\u05d1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d4\u05d0\u05d1 \u05d4\u05e8\u05d7\u05de\u05df \u05d4\u05de\u05e8\u05d7\u05dd, \u05e8\u05d7\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5<\/span> *****<\/p>\n \u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05ea\u05e4\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea \u05ea\u05d7\u05e0\u05d5\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05d6\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05d0\u05dc\u05d4, \u05de\u05de\u05e9 \u05db\u05d0\u05d9\u05e9 \u05d4\u05de\u05ea\u05d7\u05e0\u05df \u05dc\u05d4\u05e6\u05d9\u05dc \u05d0\u05ea \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05d5<\/span> Rav Miller\u00a0zt\u201dl<\/em>\u00a0points out that in this\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0we are expressing a progression, adding level upon level of compassion and mercy in our description of Hashem\u2019s compassion and in our relationship with Him.\u00a0 We add that these levels come on top of those already describing the great and eternal love Hashem has for us, the great and powerful compassion He showed us in the past, invoking His great Name and the\u00a0z\u2019chus<\/em>\u00a0of our\u00a0Avos<\/em>\u00a0and their\u00a0bitachon<\/em>.\u00a0 Why such seemingly excessive pleading, here in this\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0in particular?<\/p>\n Rav Miller explains that the knowledge and fulfillment of Torah is the greatest salvation for our souls, and there is no greater danger in our lives than living without Torah.\u00a0 Accordingly, we are pleading here for our very lives, our eternal spiritual lives.\u00a0 As the Chofetz Chaim writes in\u00a0siman<\/em>\u00a047 of the\u00a0Mishnah B\u2019rurah<\/em>, this is one of the primary places in\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0(In fact, he lists it first before other parts of\u00a0tefilah<\/em>\u00a0that precede\u00a0Ahavah Rabah<\/em>\u00a0in sequence) where we\u00a0daven<\/em>\u00a0for our children as well.\u00a0 We are pleading for their eternal lives as well as our own.<\/p>\n We begin with \u201c\u05d0\u05d1\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5<\/span>\u2013Avinu<\/em>\u00a0(our Father).\u201d A father certainly has a great and powerful love for his children.\u00a0 We then add \u201c\u05d4\u05e8\u05d7\u05de\u05df<\/span>\u2013HaRachaman<\/em>\u00a0(the Merciful),\u201d which is meant as a title or description.\u00a0 Hashem\u2019s\u00a0\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea<\/span>\u2013umanus<\/em>\u00a0(\u201cprofession\u201d) is\u00a0\u05e8\u05d7\u05de\u05d9\u05dd<\/span>\u2013rachamim<\/em>.\u00a0 His\u00a0midos<\/em>\u00a0are\u00a0rachamim<\/em>.<\/p>\n We then proceed to add \u201c\u05d4\u05de\u05e8\u05d7\u05dd<\/span>\u2013HaM\u2019racheim<\/em>\u201d \u2013 the One who actively has\u00a0rachamanus<\/em>\u00a0upon us.\u00a0 All compassion in the world comes from One Source.\u00a0 Human beings who deliver that compassion are messengers of Hashem, the One Source.\u00a0 Finally, we add \u201c\u05e8\u05d7\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5<\/span>\u2013racheim aleinu<\/em>\u201d \u2013 a request for Hashem to have compassion upon us.<\/p>\n Why do we need such seemingly excessive pleading to learn and live Torah for ourselves and our children?\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it enough to put in our best efforts and ask for Hashem\u2019s help in our normal manner?\u00a0 Rav Shlomo Wolbe (sefer Alei Shur<\/em>\u00a02:590-591) quotes the Gemara in\u00a0Maseches Nidah<\/em>\u00a0(70b) in which the Gemara says that it is not enough to sit and learn.\u00a0 The Gemara states: \u201cMany did that, and it did not help them (to become\u00a0chachamim<\/em>).\u201d Rather, one must sit and learn\u00a0and<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0beseech Hashem for\u00a0rachamim<\/em>.\u00a0 Rav Wolbe then writes these most powerful words:<\/p>\n \u05d5\u05de\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d5\u05d3\u05e2 \u05db\u05de\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d9 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05db\u05d7 \u05d4\u05d5\u05dc\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d0\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05dd \u05de\u05ea\u05d4\u05d5\u05d5\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea \u2013 \u05de\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9 \u05e9\u05ea\u05e4\u05d9\u05dc\u05ea\u05dd \u05d4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05d3\u05d9\u05dc\u05d5\u05d2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d1\u05de\u05d4\u05d9\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea, \u05dc\u05dc\u05d0 \u05db\u05d5\u05d5\u05e0\u05d4 \u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05de\u05e7\u05d0 \u05d3\u05dc\u05d1\u05d0!<\/span><\/p>\n And who knows how many potential\u00a0g\u2019dolei Torah<\/em>\u00a0are getting lost and are not becoming what they could have become \u2013 because their\u00a0tefilos<\/em>\u00a0are [conducted] with skipping portions and with [undue] haste, without\u00a0kavanah<\/em>\u00a0(intent and concentration) from the depths of the heart!<\/p>\n Let us all storm the heavens and beseech Hashem for\u00a0rachamim<\/em>\u00a0as we plead to Hashem in this unique\u00a0tefilah<\/em>.\u00a0 Let us plead for all of\u00a0klal Yisrael<\/em>, our children, family, and friends \u2013 and ourselves.\u00a0 Nothing less than our eternal lives are at stake.<\/p>\n A Plea for Passion<\/strong><\/p>\n \u05d5\u05ea\u05df \u05d1\u05dc\u05d1\u05e0\u05d5 \u05dc\u05d4\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d5\u05dc\u05d4\u05e9\u05db\u05d9\u05dc, \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2 \u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d5\u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d3<\/span> *****<\/p>\n Rav Chaim Friedlander\u00a0zt\u201dl<\/em>\u00a0(Rinas Chaim<\/em>) and Rav Avigdor Miller\u00a0zt\u201dl<\/em>\u00a0(Tefilas Avigdor<\/em>) explain that the words \u201c\u05d5\u05ea\u05df \u05d1\u05dc\u05d1\u05e0\u05d5<\/span>\u2013v\u2019sein b\u2019libeinu<\/em>\u201d apply to all the requests that follow.\u00a0 We ask Hashem\u00a0to place in our hearts (and in our children\u2019s hearts) the desire to want to\u00a0<\/strong>internalize and to clarify, to accept, to learn, and to teach Torah.<\/p>\n How can we ask Hashem to place in our hearts the desire to want all of these spiritual requests? \u00a0Isn\u2019t that our job? \u00a0We know that while results are completely in Hashem\u2019s domain, our role is creating the desire and putting forth effort, even in\u00a0ruchniyus<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 spiritual matters.\u00a0 Why are we asking Hashem to do what\u00a0we<\/em>\u00a0are obligated to do?<\/p>\n The answer is that we need to acknowledge that we need Hashem\u2019s help to accomplish anything, even the desire and effort, which is our role and responsibility.\u00a0 We need\u00a0siyata diShmaya<\/em>, heavenly assistance, in every step of our lives.\u00a0 Therefore, not only do we ask for success, but we ask here also for Hashem\u2019s assistance in desiring all these steps of serving Him through internalizing, learning, teaching, and living Torah with love.<\/p>\n We will briefly explain the words in this beautiful request, based on the explanations of HaRav Friedlander (Rinas Chaim<\/em>) and HaRav Miller (Tefilas Avigdor<\/em>).\u00a0 We preface each of the statements below with, \u201cWe ask You, Hashem, to place in our hearts (and in our children\u2019s hearts) the desire:<\/em><\/p>\n \u05dc\u05d4\u05d1\u05d9\u05df<\/span>\u2013l<\/em>\u2019havin<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 to focus on the depth of Torah and place it deeply into our hearts;<\/p>\n \u05dc\u05d4\u05e9\u05db\u05d9\u05dc<\/span>\u2013l\u2019haskil<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 to understand and internalize the Torah so clearly within our hearts that its teachings become like a simple, straightforward matter to us, and thereby guide our every thought, speech, and action;<\/p>\n \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2<\/span>\u2013l<\/em>ishmoa<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 to accept guidance from our\u00a0rav<\/em>,\u00a0rebbeim<\/em>, parents, and others;<\/p>\n \u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3<\/span>\u2013l<\/em>ilmod<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 to toil in Torah, learn with\u00a0hasmadah<\/em>, and grasp quickly;<\/p>\n \u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d3<\/span>\u2013l<\/em>\u2019lameid<\/em>\u00a0\u2013 to have the ability and the\u00a0z\u2019chus<\/em>\u00a0to teach Torah.\u00a0 One who loves Torah is not satisfied just to learn but wants others to learn as well.\u00a0 His own learning is with the mindset of teaching and living Torah.<\/p>\n Let us remember the Chofetz Chaim\u2019s advice of also\u00a0davening<\/em>\u00a0in this\u00a0brachah<\/em>\u00a0for our children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Yom Tov of Shavuos, though only one day (two outside of Eretz Yisrael), has many aspects to it.\u00a0 One aspect is our celebration of the greatest of gifts that Hashem has bestowed upon us: Torah.\u00a0 Learning and living Torah is our greatest and deepest connection to Hashem: It enables us to live a life […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":133662,"featured_media":57939,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[357],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-shavuot"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nOur Father, the merciful Father, Who acts mercifully, have mercy upon us<\/p>\n
\nThere are no supplications in all of the prayers that are more powerful than these, actually like a person who is pleading in order to save his life.\u00a0 [HaRav Avigdor Miller in\u00a0Tefilas Avigdor<\/em>]<\/p>\n
\nInstill in our hearts to understand and to elucidate, to listen, to learn, and to teach\u2026<\/p>\n