12 May WHY IS SHAVUOS DIFFERENT?

As we draw nearer to the
conclusion of our sefira
countdown, our thoughts are
turning increasingly often
to the culmination of these
seven weeks of waiting,
namely waiting for Shavuos.
And, as we make our
preparations for the holiday, we come to realize
how different Shavuos is from any other chag.
In the Torah, we are commanded to celebrate
Pesach on the 15th of Nissan. Similarly, we are
commanded to celebrate Succos on a specific day
in Tishrei. The Torah spells out for us exactly
when we must celebrate these two regalim. But
the third regel, however, is not given a specific
date in the calendar for absolutely no mention is
made of the fact that Shavuos falls on the sixth day
of Sivan. All we are told is that we must celebrate
Shavuos fifty days after Pesach. What an unusual
way to pinpoint a Festival!
Likewise, the Torah tells us the primary reasons
we celebrate the other regalim. We celebrate
Pesach to commemorate the night when Hashem
was, “Posach al batei Yisroel – Hashem passed
over the houses of the Jews,” during the plague of
makos b’choros (killing of the firstborn), the night
of y’tzias Mitzrayim (going out from Egypt). We
celebrate Succos to commemorate the ‘succos’
that Hashem set up for us in the midbar (desert) to
protect us – namely the Ananei HaKavod (Clouds
of Glory).
But the reason given in the Torha for celebrating
Shavuos is not the ikar, the most important reason.
The Torah tells us that it is a Chag Bikurim, a
time when the first fruits were brought to the Beis
HaMikdash. Nowhere is it stated that Shavuos is,
“Z’man matan Toraseinu – The Time of Giving of
the Torah.”
Another difference we see is that other Yomim
Tovim have at least one specific mitzvah pertaining
to that, and only that, Yom Tov. Pesach has the
mitzvah of matzah as well as, “Sipur y’tzias
Mitzrayim – Discussing at length the departure
from Egypt.” Succos has the chiyuv (obligation)
to eat in the succah as well as the Arba Minim, the
lulav and esrog. Rosh Hashanah has the mitzvah
of shofar. Shavuos does not have any specific
mitzvah. Especially in our times (as opposed to
the times of our Temple), when even the korban
(ritual sacrifice) of the shtei halechem cannot
be brought, Shavuos has no special mitzvah
pertaining to it alone.
Furthermore, regarding the korban of shtei
halechem, the two loaves, this was the only time
that chometz was burned on the mizbei’ach (altar).
No other korban is actual chometz. Additionally,
Bnei Yisroel were not commanded to bring a
korban chatas on Shavuos, yet on all the other
holidays it is clearly stated.
Reb Eliezer also tells us that on Pesach and Succos
it is perfectly all right for one to devote the whole
of the Yom Tov to learning Torah. One is excused
from the celebration of the chag if he immerses
himself in Torah study. Ironically, on Shavuos
a person is obligated to enjoy himself, to have
Simchas Yom Tov. So, we can see that there are
many differences between Shavuos and the other
chagim.
It is our responsibility to understand why Shavuos
is set apart and to take these limudim (lessons)

and to impress them upon our children and to
everyone we know.
Shavuos celebrates the day Hashem gave Bnei
Yisroel the Torah, the Lekach Tov, the most
precious possession. It is different than the other
two regalim in that during Pesach and Succos
we celebrate ancient events. Even though these
events affect our daily lives even now, they
happened long ago.
As such, we use ‘external stimulants’ to be able to
feel and relive those times. We need the mitzvos
of matzah and moror, sipur y’tzias Mitzrayim, and
the succah to be able to experience the reasons for
these Yomim Tovim, so that we can really feel that
we ourselves were slaves in Egypt and Hashem
took us out and surrounded us with Ananei
HaKavod. “Adom nifal k’fi p’uloso – A person
reacts and feels what he experiences and does.”
Matan Torah is not something that happened in
ancient times. The Torah is viable and with us
every day. Kabbalas HaTorah happens every day,
as it says in Shema, “Asher Anochi m’tzav’cha
hayom – As I (Hashem) commanded you today.”
Rashi explains this to mean that we should feel
deeply that the Torah is given to us each and every
day. “Al t’hei b’einecha k’d’yukna y’shana –
Don’t let it be in your eyes like an old decree.”
It is a new decree, fresh every day. “B’chol yom
v’yom y’hiyu b’einecha k’chadashos – Every day,
It should be like new in your eyes.”
Since we experience Kabbalas HaTorah every
day, we do not need a special mitzvah. We don’t
need any ‘external stimulants’ to help us relive the
moment we received the Torah; we experience it
every day. This is similar to what the Rishonim
tell us about Shemini Atzeres: It does not have any
special mitzvah either. What are we celebrating
on that day? Simchas HaTorah! And we have no
true simcha except for the simcha of the Torah.
“Ein lonu shiur rak HaTorah haZos – We have
nothing remaining but the Torah.” When we are
m’samei’ach with the Torah, we do not need any
other stimuli.
Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l, zy”a, used this
reasoning to explain that the Torah did not give
any specific day for celebrating Shavuos, since
every day of the year is Kabbalas HaTorah. The
Torah has no set date. This is similar (in a way)
to the celebrations of Mother’s Day and Father’s
Day for we don’t have such days designated in our
calenddar since we are obligated in the mitzvah
of Kibud Av v’Eim all year round and not just
once yearly. Likewise, Kabbalas HaTorah is
experienced 365 days a year and not once annually.
Reb Yisroel Salanter, zt”l, zy”a, takes this point
a step further. He explains that the Torah was
given to us in the midbar so that It would have no
specific place. As a result, no one can claim an
exemption from learning and following the Torah
because they were not in the actual place of Its
giving. So, the Torah has no set time and no set
place.
Reb Moshe continues along this vein and tells
us that, in the Kodesh HaKadoshim (the holiest
place in the Sanctuary of the Temple), there was
no room allocated for the Aron. [We realize this
when we look carefully at the dimensions given
to us in the Torah. There was not enough square
footage for the Aron to have an actual place.] The
Aron stood in the Holy of Holies only because of
a neis (miracle). Why was this? We know that

Hashem does prefer not to go out of His way to
make a neis. Thus, when Hashem was giving the
measurements to Moshe, He could have enlarged
the Kodesh HaKadoshim and made room for the
Aron.
The fact that the Aron had no designated area
within the Mishkan teaches us a valuable lesson.
Torah does not have a set place. It can be found
anywhere. It should be found everywhere. And
this is why the Torah does not call Shavuos,
“Z’man Matan Toraseinu,” because, once again,
every day is the day we are given the Torah.
(In Mesechtas Rosh Hashanah, the M’forshim tell
us that this is why Rosh HaShanah is not called
Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgement, as well,
because a person should feel that every day he
is being judged. As it says, “Adom nidon b’chol
yom – A person is judged at all times.”)
Shavuos differs from Succos and Pesach in one
other way as well. Both Succos and Pesach are
long holidays, each lasting seven days. Shavuos
lasts only one day (not including the extra day
added on to Yom Tov because we are in Golus).
The reason for this is because both Succos and
Pesach commemorate an act which took seven
days to complete. We went out of Mitzrayim in
one day. Still, it was not until seven days later
that the Bnei Yisroel crossed the Yam Suf and
saw all the Egyptians drowned and washed ashore
on the other side. It was only then that the y’tzia
(departure) was complete. Likewise, it was not
until a week after we left Mitzrayim, a week of
running through the desert being shielded from
the Egyptians’ arrows by the Ananei Hakavod,
that we were actually free of the Mitzrim for good.
However, Kabbalas HaTorah started and was
completed in a single day. We are therefore
only commanded to commemorate that day with
a single day of Yomtov. The Sefer HaTodaah
teaches us a Sifri on Parshas R’ei. There, the Torah
says, “Bo u’rei – Come and see…,” how much
Hashem worries about the money of Klal Yisroel.
See how much Hashem cares about our parnassa
(livelihoods). Consider that Shavuos takes place
at harvest time. Had Hashem obligated us to
celebrate a weeklong holiday, the crops would not
have been harvested on time and thus would have
been ruined. So, financially Bnei Yisroel would
have been ruined.
Since it would be too difficult for us to have a long
chag at this time, Hashem designated only one
day so that we would not suffer as a result. “Chas
HaKadosh Baruch Hu al m’monam shel Yisroel
– Hashem is always looking out for our benefit,”
financial or otherwise. After all, we are Hashem’s
chosen Nation, and He cares about us and loves
us. “Habocheir b’amo Yisroel b’ahava – Hashem
chooses Yisroel His People with love.” Shavuos
is only one day so that it does not adversely affect
us economically and agriculturally.
Many foolish people feel that the Torah is
outdated; that It doesn’t keep up with the times.
However, Hashem gives us the Torah every day,
hayom. Hashem knows the future; He foresaw
and foresees all. In the Torah we can find all the

answers to all our questions, even our modern-
day questions. Hashem provided for everything,

including a man on the moon, laser surgery,
genetic coding, voice activation technology,
artificial intelligence and all other innovative
achievements and advancements.

In the blessing of the Torah we say, “Asher bachar
banu…v’nasan lonu… – Who chose us and…and
Who gave to us….” Past tense! However, we
end off the bracha with, “Nosein HaTorah – Who
gives the Torah.” Present tense! This is, again,
to strengthen the point that Hashem is giving the
Torah to us daily.
On the other Yomim Tovim, Bnei Yisroel were
commanded to bring a communal korban chatas.
Not so on Shavuos for the M’forshim tell us, “Kol
ham’kabel alov ohl Torah, mavirin mimenu kol
chatav – Whomever accepts upon himself the
yoke of Torah, is forgiven for all of his sins.” So,
if we truly accept the Torah on Shavuos, we have
no need for a korban chatas as we are free of sin!
Shavuos is an especially significant time for Bnei
Torah, those who learn in Kollel and Yeshivos,
those who endeavor to work and learn when they
can, and those who send their children to Yeshivas.
For these people, Shavuos has a special meaning.
On this day, the Gemara in Masechtas Pesachim
[78b] tells us that Rav Yoseif asked his household
to prepare him the most sumptuous meal possible,
an igla tilsa, which in our days might conceivably
equal fillet mignon or a fabulous cowboy steak.
Rav Yoseif would say, “E lo hayoma d’ka gorim
kama Yoseif ika b’shuka – If it weren’t for this
day which caused me to be different, I would be
like many other ‘Yoseifs’ in the marketplace.”
Likewise, a doctor celebrates the anniversary of
the day he or she was given their degree or like
a lawyer celebrates the day he or she passed the
bar, so too Bnei Torah should celebrate the day
we were given the Torah, the ‘special something’
which caused us to be set apart.
Torah should hold such a strong place in our
hearts that we could not survive without it. Reb
Yochanan, who lost ten children, remained full of
emunah and bitachon (faith and trust) so much so
that he used to go out and provide comfort to other
unfortunate parents who lost children. However,
when his chavrusa Reish Lakish died, Reb
Yochanan could not stand the loss of Torah and his
distress was deep. Even after the great Reb Elazar
ben P’dos became his new chavrusa and would
reinforce to Reb Yochanan that all his views were
correct, even bringing him proof to that effect, Reb
Yochanan could not be comforted. Proof from his
chavrusa that he was right was just not what Reb
Yochanan wanted to hear. Previously, every time
he made a statement to Reish Lakish, Reish Lakish
would ask him 24 questions on that statement. In
turn, Reb Yochanan would reply with 24 new
answers. In this way, Torah was beautified and
grew greatly. Ultimately, Reb Yochanan was so
grief stricken that he too was soon niftar.
Let us look at the Torah as that one most important
thing. “Achas sha’alti…shivti b’veis Hashem –
One thing I ask of Hashem, that I should be able
to dwell in the House of Hashem.” We pray that
we should dwell whenever possible in the Batei
Medrashim, in the Yeshivas or by the dining room
table in the home, and learn Torah all the days of
our lives, and that Limud, Harbotzas, Hachzakas
HaTorah, Learning, Spreading, and Strengthening
to Torha be the goal we strive for all the days of
our lives.
In the merit may Hashem bless us with long life,
good health, and everything wonderful!