Receiving the Torah; loving your neighbor

Together they stood, united as one, around a mountain in the Sinai desert. God’s thunderous voice boomed, as the euphoria of his presence filled the area. The Jews were receiving the Torah — the Old Testament — the sacred book of the Jewish nation, along with the Ten Commandments. This momentous revelation is commemorated every year on the holiday of Shavuot, which will be celebrated this year from May 23-25.

The holiday marks the end of the 50-day period called the Omer between Passover — when the Jews were freed from slavery in Egypt — to Shavuot, when they coalesced into a nation and were given laws. It is custom to study the Torah all night on the eve of Shavuot to commemorate the anticipation their ancestors had for the auspicious occasion.

In addition, synagogues are decorated with floral arrangements, just as flowers blossomed on Mount Sinai when the Jews received the Torah. The Book of Ruth, which tells the story of a young convert who ended up being the matriarch of King David and the royal family, is read as well on the holiday.

Beyond the holiday’s customs, Shavuot contains a larger message, applicable to each and every one of our lives. The Omer marks a time for spiritual ascent and character development. The disciples of Rabbi Akiva died in a plague during the first 33 days of the period as a consequence for not showing proper respect for one another.

Day by day, it is customary to work on one’s character traits and conduct during the Omer. Only after a complete metamorphosis of the interpersonal relationships and national unity of the Jewish people were they deemed worthy to receive the Torah.

The biblical commentaries note that when the Jews gathered around Mount Sinai to receive the Torah, “they were like one man with one heart,” and had genuine unity amongst each other. Only after the Jews unified and showed respect and compassion for one another did they merit to receive the holy Torah.

The importance of community and unity is an integral part of life and religion, and is a prerequisite to spirituality and holiness. When Rabbi Akiva was asked to summarize the entire Torah, he said, “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” That’s the message of Shavuot and the entire Torah.