This Week’s Torah Tidbit: Shavuot
On Shavuot we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.
The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.
Shavuot Summary:
God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite males over the age of twenty. (1:1-46)
The duties of the Levites, who are not included in the census, are detailed. (1:47-51)
Each tribe is assigned specific places in the camp around the Tabernacle. (1:52-2:34)
The sons of Levi are counted and their responsibilities are set forth. (3:1-3:39)
A census of the firstborn males is taken and a special redemption tax is levied on them. (3:40-51)
God instructs Moses and Aaron regarding the responsibilities of Aaron and his sons, and the duties assigned to the Kohathites. (4:1-20)
On Shavuot we Celebrate the giving of the Torah, the most wonderful gift God had gave us, God’s teaching. The Torah is what guides us and unites us as a community as a people. We left Egypt in order to receive the Torah – the teaching of Adonai.
The legend tells us that when God was ready to give us the Torah, and was all excited to begin the covenant relationship with the people of Israel, we were sleeping. This is why we stay awake late at night on the eve of Shavuot and study Torah. Happy Shavuot to us all.
