The names of The fesTival

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman

QThe festival of Shavuot seems to have different names in different places: The Festival of Shavuot, The Day of the First-Fruits, and the Festival of Harvest. Can you explain the different names and their significance?

Yes, it’s true that in the written Torah there are three different names associated with the holiday of Shavuot. In addition, there are two more names. In the Mishnah and Talmud it is referred to as “Atzeret,” and in the festival prayers it is called the Time of the Receiving of Our Torah.

“Shavuot” means “weeks”: From the time the Israelites left Egypt they waited for seven weeks and eagerly counted the days in anticipation of the day when they would be worthy of receiving the Torah. We, too, count the Omer for seven weeks starting from the night following the first day of Passover, and then we celebrate the Festival of “Shavuot,” which means “weeks.” In addition, the word “Shavuot” means a promise or an oath, signifying our sanctified relationship with G-d through the Torah.

The name “Day of the First Fruit” is a reference to the because on this day the Israelites would bring to the Temple the offering known as “Shtei Halechem” — “Two Loaves” — from the first-fruits of the new wheat harvest.” In addition, Shavuot marked the beginning of the season for bringing the offering of the first fruits from the seven species for which the Land of Israel is known: wheat, barley, figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives and dates. In view of the fact that the preferred time to bring the firstfruits commences on Shavuot (and the majority of the people would bring it then), the festival is also known as “Day of the First Fruits.”

The name “Festival of Harvest” commemorates the fact that in Israel this marks the end of the harvest season, especially the wheat harvest. During the harvest season the field owners had an opportunity to fulfill many mitzvot, such as leaving parts of the field unharvested to benefit the poor and leaving fallen sheaths on the ground for the poor to collect. The Sages teach that “Whoever gives gleanings, “forgetting” and the corner of the harvested field to a poor person properly is considered as if he built the Temple and brought his offerings inside it.”

The name “Atzeret,” means “refraining” or “holding back.” On all festivals, in addition to refraining from work unconnected to food preparation, there is also a special mitzvah to perform: on Passover one eats matzah, on Sukkot one sits in a sukkah and takes the four species, on Rosh Hashanah one blows the shofar, and on Yom Kippur one fasts. Shavuot, however, has no special mitzvah connected to it, except for refraining from work. Thus, we emphasize that the obvious mitzvah of the festival is “Atzeret” — refraining and holding back from doing any forbidden work. In addition, the Sages named it “Atzeret” similar to the end of other festival periods, because in a sense it completes the Passover festival. And after completing the mitzvah of counting the Omer for seven weeks we have a specially designated festival of Shavuot to celebrate joyously the milestone accomplished.

The name “The Time of the Giving of Our Torah” is probably the most obvious one, since Shavuot is the day that commemorates the day we received the Torah at Mount Sinai over 3,300 years ago, serving as the foundation of our people’s legacy, encapsulating the values, wisdom, beauty and light we bring to the world by virtue of the Torah. EM

Rabbi Yoseph Y. Zaltzman is the Senior Rabbi of the Jewish Russian Community Centre of Ontario. You can Ask the Rabbi at jrcc.org or fax to 416.222.7812. To meet with Rabbi Zaltzman in person, feel free to call 416.222.7105 to book an appointment. Appointments are generally available on Wednesday evenings after 7pm.

Rebbitzin Chiena Zaltzman is also available for private consultations by appointment on Wednesday evenings from 9 to 10pm by calling 416.222.7105.

В своей жизни человек постоянно (если не ежедневно) сталкивается с ситуациями, когда он не знает (или не уверен), как ему поступить. И эти ситуации связаны с самыми различными сферами: здоровье, взаимоот-ношения в семье, воспитание детей, бизнес, взаимоотношения с друзьями, знакомыми, коллегами на работе... книгa основной труд философии хасидизма

Я бы прибавил еще одну сферу – взаимоотношения между человеком и Творцом. Человек, сомневаясь и не зная, как поступить, приходит к выводу, который часто оказывается не правильным. Что делать людям, чтобы найти правильные ответы на волнующие их вопросы?

Тора – не продукт человеческого гения. Тора дана нам Творцом – Создателем мира и человека. И Вс-вышний не оставил нас беспомощными на произвол судьбы, чтобы мы барахтались в своих жизненных трудностях. На горе Синай Вс-вышний открыл нам смысл Творения мира и миссию человека в этом мире, а также в Торе детально объяснил, как нам действовать в тех или иных ситуациях. Там указано, как поступать с момента рождения и до 120 лет человеческой жизни.Тора охватывает все аспекты жизни.

В Талмуде есть указание: «Сделай себе учителя». Это относится абсолютно ко всем...

The article above is excerpted from the Russian edition of Exodus Magazine. To subscribe, please visit exodusmagazine.org or call 416.222.7105.

Класс ведет рабби Йосеф И. Зальцман На русском языке

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The longstanding custom of post-Passover challah baking known as Shlissel Challah, was celebrated simultaneously in eight JRCC Branches following Passover last month. Though communal Challah baking sessions are organized throughout the year, and are a tremendous source communal blessing for those in need, the post-Passover challah baking is known to be especially auspicious for eliciting healing energy and sustenance. The custom usually involved a key - according to some versions the key is baked into the challah, some pierce the challah with a key, and some bake a challah shaped like a key. They “key” connection is that the channel from which heavenly blessings flow is often referred to as a gate - such as, the gates of mercy, the gates of healing, the gates of forgiveness, the gates of wealth, etc. Since we are asking that the gates of blessings be open, we symbolically connect a key to the custom, as if to say that this challah will serve as a key to open the gates of blessings for the Jewish people.

11 NISSAN CELEBRATIONS

On April 2, people around the world celebrated 11th of Nissan, the birthday of the Rebbe, who was born in 1902 in the Ukrainian-Russian town of Nikolaev and went on to spark the greatest renaissance in Jewish history that inspired millions. The entire Chabad movement today, including the JRCC, as well as the personal Jewish connection of countless people, are thanks to the Rebbe’s vision and tireless efforts. To mark the occasion, the JRCC held a farbrengen (Chassidic gathering) at the JRCC Concord. Participants enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, infused with inspiring words of wisdom and soulful song, led by Rabbi Avrohom Jacks. The JRCC also participated in a city-wide mitzvah tank parade in honor of the day, marking 121 years since the Rebbe’s birth. To learn more about the Rebbe visit jrcc.org/therebbe.

JGirls is the coolest Jewish club for young teens. With a great group of participants from neighborhoods around the GTA and regular gatherings, the group has proven to be a hit with Jewish teen girls from all family and educational backgrounds. Activities include making your own sushi, pottery workshops, sending letters of encouragement to IDF soldiers, packaging holiday gift packages for the needy, and more. For more information and to join the club, visit jrcc.org/jgirls.

Over 500 Attend Jrcc Community Passover Seders

The Passover Seder is a universal Jewish ritual observed almost identically by Jews around the world, regardless of their affiliation or level or observance. It is the quintessential reliving of the quintessential Jewish experience. Over 500 people attended Community Passover Seders organized by the Jewish Russian Community Centre in 10 locations on April 5 and 6. The Seders provided people with the opportunity to experience a traditional Seder and observe the related mitzvahs and traditions – eating the matzah and recounting the story of the Exodus to our children – in a warm and welcoming environment with family and friends. The insightful guidance and explanations of the presiding rabbis enriched the Seder with added meaning and depth, while the camaraderie and singing enhanced the jubilant holiday atmosphere.

The Feast Of Moshiach

While the first days of Passover commemorate the Exodus from Egypt, the eighth day of Passover is traditionally associated with our hopes for the future redemption with the coming of Moshiach. Towards the end of the day, while fell this year on April 13, according to a custom initiated by the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of the Chassidic movement, a Feast of Moshiach was held at all JRCC branches, together with thousands of other communities around the world. Participants gathered together, ate matzah, drank wine, sand songs, and shared insights about Moshiach – an idea that may sometimes seem unfathomable. One way to get there is to internalize the idea, to learn about it, talk about it, visualize and make it real. As the Rebbe teaches, when we open our eyes in this way, our awareness itself makes it real. Learn more at jrcc.org/Moshiach

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THURSDAY NIGHT, MAY 25

Commemorate receiving the Torah. Contact your local JRCC branch for times and schedule or visit WWW.JRCC.ORG/SHAVUOT