Page 6 - HaMizrachi #10 Yom Yerushalayim - Shavuot 5779
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MIZRACHI EDUCATORS
Rabbi Reuven Taragin
THAHNOWTHTEOABVEERMAOGREEJOE
GYEARNING FOR MEANING Shavuot, Rav Yosef ate a ‘triple-meat’ “And I was elevated.” Rashi seems to
-d created every one of the sandwich and explained his custom by be paraphrasing the Mishna in Avot7
world’s seven billion people exclaiming that “without the impact of that explains that Torah learning
with a yearning to feel this day, there would be many Yosefs elevates one above all creatures and
meaningful and impactful. Although (Joes) in the marketplace.” actions.8
people know that they are merely one
of billions, they want to feel that their Rav Yosef highlighted the importance Throughout the year we involve
lives matter, that they mean more than of Torah learning and knowledge ourselves in many (often important)
just ‘the average Joe.’ in developing a meaningful and activities. The multitude of disciplines
distinguished identity. There are may distract us from the primary
THE DAY THE TORAH WAS GIVEN many ways people seek to distinguish importance of Torah learning. Chag
themselves. There are the Joe Shavuot is a time to reflect upon the
Chag Shavuot offers direction to DiMaggios4 and Joe Namaths of unique significance of Torah learning
this existential yearning. Shavuot sports and the Joe Bidens and Joe and how it elevates us. Hopefully, our
is the only chag other than Sukkot Liebermans of politics. Their respective reflection and celebration will inspire
regarding which the Torah specifies accomplishments may be undoubtedly us to devote more time to learning
the mitzvah of simcha (happiness).1 impressive and celebrated by society, and, in the process, make ourselves
Chazal understood the mitzvah as but Rav Yosef’s statement asserts that matter more than the average Joe.
requiring physical celebration. In fact, on a deeper level, the only way5 we truly
Rabbi Elazar asserts that even those develop and distinguish ourselves is 1 Devarim 16:11.
who see other yamim tovim (holidays) through building our character upon a 2 Pesachim 68b.
as spiritually focused agree that foundation of Torah learning. 3 DH DeBainan.
Shavuot requires physical celebration.2 4 Abie Rotenberg’s song “Joe DiMaggio’s
Interestingly, the Talmud links this This appreciation lies at the heart of Card” contrasts collecting baseball cards,
requirement to the fact that Shavuot is Chag Shavuot. To celebrate Shavuot which are valued by many but ultimately
the day the Torah was given. properly, we need to reflect upon how worthless, with collecting Gedolim Cards
central Torah learning and values are that celebrate meaningful accomplishment.
This linkage seems strange. Shouldn’t to Jewish identity. Celebration without 5 Implied by his usage of the word ִא ְל ָמ ֵלא,
Shavuot’s commemoration of Matan this reflection is superficial and only “had it not been for.”
Torah mandate a spiritually focused physical in nature. 6 DH Li.
celebration? Rashi3 explains that 7 6:1.
physical celebration is required in THE DAYS I LEARNED AND ELEVATED 8 We also find this verb in ַא ָּתה ְב ַחְר ָּתנ ּו, with
order to show that we are pleased which we begin the central part of the Yom
with and accepting of Matan Torah. A Rashi’s explanation of Rav Yosef’s Tov Amidah: ְור ֹו ַמ ְמ ָּתנ ּו ִמ ָּכל ַה ְּל ׁש ֹונ ֹות, “And
spiritual commemoration might best words further personalizes his raised us above all the languages.” See also
reflect the nature of Matan Torah, but statement.6 Rashi explains the ‘day’ the words of Rabbi Yochanan (Berachot 17a):
it would not express how we relate to Rav Yosef refers to, not as the day ַא ׁ ְשֵרי ִמי ׁ ֶש ָּגדֹל ַּב ּת ֹוָרה, “Happy is one who has
the Torah nor our level of satisfaction the Torah was given, but as the days grown in Torah.”
with this special gift. he had studied Torah. Matan Torah
is worth celebrating, but ultimately, Rabbi Reuven Taragin is Educational
IF NOT FOR THAT DAY it is only our individual investment Director of Mizrachi. He is also Dean of the
in Talmud Torah that develops us Yeshivat HaKotel Overseas Program
A bit later in the Talmud, we are told personally. ravtaragin@mizrachi.org
that Rav Yosef had a preferred culinary
simcha selection and a unique Rashi also employs a unique adjective Scan here to join Rabbi
formulation of its significance. On to describe the impact of Torah Taragin’s WhatsApp group
learning on Rav Yosef – ְו ִנ ְתר ֹו ַמ ְמ ִּתי, with daily Divrei Torah
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