ב"ה

The Essence of Shavuot
If one had a disturbingly ominous dream, Halachah allows one to fast even on a Sabbath or Festival – notwithstanding the obligation to feast on these days – since the person is distressed over his dream, he would derive 'pleasure' from fasting and not from eating. The one exception to the rule is Shavuot—the Festival of the Giving of the Torah. On Shavuot one must eat! This appears strange, given that all the other festivals celebrate a physical, bodily salvation, whereas Shavuot marks the giving of the Torah—a profoundly spiritual event?! The answer explores the nature of pleasure and the essence of Shavuot. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23 pp. 27)

Many reasons are suggested to explain why we eat dairy foods on Shavuot. Of all the classic reasons offered, the one that appears to be the simplest is strangely absent. This class will explain why, and in so do doing will address the great mission of the Jewish people that began at Sinai. (Based in part on Likutei Sichos vol. 8, Naso 3)

Rabbi Yosef, the Talmud relates, would celebrate Shavuot, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, with a unique banquet. The puzzling statement he said in connection with the feast is the subject of this class. Probing the layers of the Sage’s words reveals startling new depth to our appreciation of G-d’s most precious gift. (Based on Likutei Sichos volume 16)

Associating dairy-delicacies with the annual celebratory observance of Matan Torah (giving of the Torah) seems as natural as blintzes and sour cream; yet the origins of this near ubiquitous custom appear artificial and even contradictory to the mandated holiday meat menu. Mixing medieval manuscripts with contemporary clarification, a sweet and fruitful medley of delightful insight, rhyme and reason emerges. See how a desire to flavor Shavuot with a taste of times bygone set “Milky Way” customs into orbit and how to best balance this curious minhag with the Halacha!

Though not the majority opinion, there is an important school of thought that perceives the five days following Shavuot as an organic continuation of the holiday – a curious prolongation of hallowed time not found anywhere else in our Jewish calendar. The source for this unique convention seems rooted in the Talmud, yet its logic seems less than ironclad. The Rebbe provides a fresh and deeply insightful perspective on the essence of Shavuot itself that ultimately sheds illumination and clarity about the unusual expansion of the holiday’s broadened circumference.

The Haftorah of Shavuot
Why Ezekiel’s vision of the “divine chariot” is the chosen haftorah reading on Shavuos, when it would appear that other scriptural passages that refer directly to the giving of the Torah would make a more appropriate choice, inasmuch as Ezekiel makes no such reference at all! (Based on Likkutei Sichos, vol. 33, p. 18.)

Parsha Naso
“On the second day Netanel Ben Tzuar, the prince of Yissachar, offered. He offered his sacrifice ." (Numbers 7:18-19) Why is the word "offered" (hikriv) written twice? Also, why in the second time it's written is it missing a yud? Discover the connection between the missing yud and the holiday of Shavuot which celebrates the giving of the Torah.
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