On Tikkun Leil Shavuos, we had the pleasure of a number of shiurim from members of the Youth Minyan, including;

Thank you to all those who presented and contributed to the shiurim.

Naaseh VeNishma - Does Judaism require blind faith?
By Ari Bergman

Many people quote Na'aseh Venishma as proof in Judaism that one is expected to do things without understanding them first, a concept that sounds alot like blind faith. But before coming to this conclusion, we must understand the context of where Na'aseh VeNishmah was said by the Jews. It was said at the foot of Har Sinai, with all the Glory of Hashem before them. It was said after miracles of Yetzias Mizraim, where the miracles proved Hashem's existence to the Jews and to the whole world. It was said after Krias Yam Suf, where it is said that the highest level of prophecy was achieved by all of Bnei Yisroel. Na'aseh VeNishmah was said once the Jews knew what was right - for the sake of Emes they were prepared to take on any obligations that Hashem dictated, while other nations were not willing to make this sacrifice. We learn from this that blind faith is not expected. Before saying Na'aseh VeNishmah, we must reach a certain level of awareness of Hashems presence in the world. This is our primary obligation in Judaism - as the Rambam writes in his opening sentence of the Mishna Torah - the foundation of all foundations is to KNOW about the existence of Hashem. Without this basis, Na'aseh VeNishmah lacks its true meaning.

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Shavuot - NOT Zman Matan Toraseinu!
By Ezra May

We have just completed counting the Sefira. Why have we and what have we been counting for? Sefira if you read the verses in the Torah,is clearly wholly & singularly an agricultural event. This 50 day period between Pesach and Shavoes is the harvest season in Eretz Yisroel.

The Torah when discussing Shavoes mentions in great detail the bringing of the Shtei Halechem (two loaves of Wheat) and the Biccurim. These WERE the special Mitzvois of Shavoes. This time of year with new crops, new grains & fresh first fruits was one of the happiest times of the whole year.

Shavoes was the Yom Tov that was the most relevant to Bnei Yisroel as it was the only 'live' festival as opposed to the other two which commemorate historical events (the Exodus & our travels in the desert).

However, now Sefira is associated as a period of mourning with death and destruction dominating our mindsets. Accordingly, we no longer count in anticipation of the Shtei Halechem or Biccurim but rather with a heavy heart. Additionally, the Rabbonim have as well as transforming Sefira from a time of happiness to saddness they have changed the focus of Shavoues from being an agricultural festival to commemorating Matan HaTorah.

This link between Shavoes & Matan Torah is problamatic as it is not explicitly stated anywhere in the Torah. It is only referred to in the Gemorah and there are many reasons why a specific day to commemorate Matan Torah was not originally established. Even more striking is that Matan Torah actually occurred on the 51st day of the Omer and not the 50th as we celebrate today.

To view the complete text of the D'var Torah, click here.

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The Power of Torah
By Yisroel Alter Pacanowski

"The power given to Klal Yisroel to explain, extrapolate and be mechadesh in Torah".
The Yismach Yisroel of Alexander ZY"A expounds on this theme and various aspects listed in the Zichron Gavriel were examined. The Beis Din Shel Ma'ala is dependent on Klal Yisroel in the proclamation of Rosh Chodesh and other Halachos. Indeed, Moshe Rabbeinu postponed Kabolas HaTorah by an extra day to impress upon Klal Yisroel that Hashem would agree with the decision of Moshe. This gives Beis Din the power to proclaim Yom Tov Sheni in Chutz La'aretz.

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The two sets of Aseres Hadibros
By Yisroel Alter Pacanowski

On Shavuos night we had a 2.5 hour, "lots-of-discussion" - study of the Kli Yokor analysing the 10 differences between the first Aseres Hadibros in Parshas Yisro and the second Aseres Hadibros in Parshas Va'eschanan. Basically, the Kli Yokor explains the first Ten Commandments were offered to the whole world, not just Klal Yisroel. Therefore these were on a lower, easier to keep level. Once only Klal Yisroel had accepted the Torah, the second Ten Commandments were focussed directly at them and thus on a higher, stricter level.

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