Receive-and Give-Your Torah

Shavuot

Today Jews all over the world celebrate the holiday of Shavuot. On this day, the sixth day of the Hebrew month of  Sivan, they commemorate Moses receiving the Ten Commandments. This holiday also is known as the Festival of Weeks named in Exodus 34:22 and Deuteronomy 16:16. Shavuot is celebrated seven weeks and a day [...]

Refining Your Character in 49 Days

Do you count the Omer? If you are Jewish, you may know about this practice. If you aren’t, you likely have no idea to what I’m referring. However, anyone can count the Omer, and in the process you can refine your character. The process of receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai began 49 days before [...]

This Shavuot, Give Your Torah

The holiday of Shavuot begins this year on the evening of May 28th. I started thinking about the holiday, it’s meaning and how to celebrate it more meaningfully when I saw a photo of my old rabbi from Congregation Etz Chaim in Lomard, Il, dressed as Moses and holding a staff and the tablets with [...]

I'm Back wtih Post Shavuot Thoughts

After more than a one month absence, I’m back…sort of. I feel a bit like I’m only half here, since my life seems just a bit crazy still. You see, while I teach people how to live life fully, mine has just a bit over full lately and totally unbalanced. I admit it; all I’ve [...]

A Month Packed with Holidays: Lag B’Omer and Shavuot

Two important Jewish holidays fall during the month of May: Lag b’Omer and Shavuot. However, the first is often overlooked by less observant Jews – and it is little understood by many. Maybe because many have found it hard to figure out what it’s really about. I like the first holiday, Lag b’Omer, probably because [...]

Shavuot: Coming to Mt. Sinai and Into the Presence Again

Shavuot hovers less than a week away, a chance to once again stand at Mt. Sinai and receive the 10 commandments and the Torah. Yes, stand once again, for it is said that every Jews was present at the giving of the Torah. When we celebrate Shavuot by staying up all night studying we move [...]