Shavuot

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Shavuot

Questions for Preparation and Self Study - Shavuot and Matan Torah
Shiur #1: Shavuot and Matan Torah: An Uncommemorated Event

Questions for Preparation and Self Study - Ma'amad Har Sinai
Shiur #2: The Four Stages of Ma'amad Har Sinai

Shavuot and Matan Torah: An Uncommemorated Event

When the Torah wishes to inform us of the 'historical' reason for a holiday, it certainly knows how to do so. Take for example the two other pilgrimage holidays - Chag HaMatzot and Succot. Even though these holidays are also presented from their 'agricultural' perspective, the Torah informs us of their historical perspectives as well. Therefore, it is simply baffling that the Torah presents Shavuot only from its agricultural aspect, without mentioning even a word about its connection to events of Matan Torah! In this week's shiur, we attempt to understand why.

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The Four Stages of Ma'amad Har Sinai

Despite the historical prominence and centrality of Ma'amad Har Sinai as perhaps the most important event in Jewish history, we are surprisingly unfamiliar with the chapter in Chumash that describes the specific events thereof. Simply ask yourself, have you ever gone through Shmot perek 19, pasuk by pasuk, in an attempt to follow its progression? Unquestionably, the primary purpose of Ma'amad Har Sinai was Bnei Yisrael's receiving of the Torah. Nevertheless, their experience during that revelation is no less important. In this week's shiur, we show how the Torah's presentation of this event reflects the dialectic nature of our relationship with God.