Introduction
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Introduction he chag of Shavuos is most closely associated with its Rabbi Yaakov Glasser identity as zman matan TToraseinu — a day commemorating David Mitzner Dean, YU Center for the Jewish Future the giving of the Torah. Its ritual Rabbi, Young Israel of Passaic-Clifton expression is limited, since there are no formal objects of sanctity traditional Masoretic structure of in our overall commitment to talmud or commandments to engage in the verses. The other,taam elyon (the Torah. Fundamentally, the liturgical particular acts of religious observance. upper cantillation), divides the verses experience is really intended to be one The primary mitzvah we engage without regard to their traditional of study. Therefore, the cantillation in over the course of the holiday is structure, and instead organizes used corresponds to the breakdown talmud Torah (Torah learning). This them with the goal of distinguishing of verses. This is the most authentic is distinct from every other holiday each of the commandments. There way to engage in Torah study. The throughout the Jewish calendar, is an extensive halachic discussion reading of the Torah on Shavuos has which requires us to endow a regarding which of these two an entirely different purpose. The particular object or act with a unique cantillation methods should be Rokeach no. 296 writes based on a moment of sanctity in recognizing employed when chanting the Aseres midrash: the particular message of that chag. A אמר הקב”ה לישראל בני הוו קורין את HaDibros. TheMagen Avraham lulav and esrog are not objects we use הפרשה הזאת בכל שנה ושנה ואני מעלה ,quotes the Masas Binyamin (494) for performance of mitzvos the rest of עליכם כאלו אתם לומדים לפני הר סיני who distinguishes between the the year, nor do we fulfill a mitzvah by ומקבלים את התורה. reading on Shavuos and the reading eating matzah, or blowing the shofar. on an ordinary Shabbos. TheMasas The Holy One Blessed Be He said to the Yet Shavuos embraces a mitzvah that Binyanim argues that when reading Jewish people: Read this section (the is consistent throughout the year. Parshas Yisro and Va’eschanan during Aseres HaDibros) each year and I will The mitzvah most associated with the regular cycle of the year, we treat it as if you are studying it at Har Shavuos is essentially at the center should utilize the taam tachton, and Sinai and accepting the Torah. of our religious life — the study of when reading the Aseres HaDibros on Torah. How does our talmud Torah Shavuos, we should employ the taam The reading of the Torah on Shavuos experience on this holiday become an elyon. is not simply an act of Torah study. experience that is unique to Shavuos? Rather, it is intended to recreate the Why should we make such a Are we not simply engaged in a experience of Sinai itself. As a result, distinction? Surely we should be religious act that is required of us each we follow the taam elyon, which and every day of the year? consistent and select one tradition echoes G-d’s presentation of the as the authentic approach in reading Aseres HaDibros, rather than the Thekerias HaTorah (Torah reading) this section of the Torah, regardless of of Shavuos appropriately features technical manner in which they were the reason why we read it. Rav Yosef recorded. the reading of matan Torah, and Dov Soloveitchik explained that the included within this reading are the nature of our obligation to read the This is truly what Shavuos is about. It Aseres HaDibros. There are two Torah on Shavuos is different from isn’t only about the study of Torah. It potential formats for the cantillation the obligation to read the Torah on is about the experience of Torah. We of the Aseres HaDibros. One, the an ordinary Shabbos. Throughout the are not only focused on the substance taam tachton (the lower cantillation), year, the purpose of reading the Torah and content of Torah — we embrace divides the verses based on the each Shabbos is to ensure consistency the opportunity to connect to the 4 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Shavuot 5777 larger transformative impact that that take place across our texts and programs, buildings, and centers Rabbi TorahDavid Aaron, Rabbimakes Elie Abadie, on Yehuda our Leib lives. Abberbock, We Rafi Abraham, stay Professor up Abrahamtraditions, S. Abraham, Jed H. Abraham, and Aaronto theAbramson, voice Rabbi David of Abuchatzeira, G-d that Nina J. 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