For those of you keeping score at home, Shavuos is upon us and it is quite literally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The culmination of our anticipatory tallying that began seven short weeks ago, Shavuos commemorates the timeless bond forged at Har Sinai, between Hashem and His Chosen People.
In previous posts, we have touched upon some of what makes this Yom Tov the highlight of the year. No, I’m not talking about cheesecake, blintzes, and the other dairy delectables that are so prevalent this time of year. You and I are very aware that we have something special. Something so unique and so precious, that our parents, grandparents and ancestors before them sacrificed to embrace, fought to protect, and even died to maintain its laws and inherent values. I am referring, of course, to our GPS, our lifeblood: The Torah.
Chazal teach us that the key to acquiring Torah is our ratzon – our desire. “Ein davar haomed bifnei haratzon;” – want it and Hashem will give it to you. If you truly want to do the Ratzon Hashem, then there is absolutely nothing that can stand in your way.
One of the main takeaways from Shavuos is this very message. When the Yidden left Mitzrayim, we know that they were on the 49th level of spiritual impurity – nowhere to go but up. Then, in what was the most supernatural turnaround in history, the Bnei Yisroel stood at the foot of Har Sinai ready to receive the Torah just 49 days later! How is this possible? “How to Completely Change Your Life in 49 Days” sounds like a best-seller for sure, but if we could try to understand what happened here, then we can tap into one of the greatest lessons of all time.
In order to illustrate this point, on Shavuos we read about a person who, by sheer desire alone, would be granted what was most dear to her and who would subsequently become one of the matriarchs of Klal Yisroel. A princess of Moav, born into royalty and riches, Rus recognized the emptiness of the ways of her own people. She saw the beauty and light that permeate every aspect of a life imbued with Torah.
Rus clung tearfully to her mother-in-law Naomi, and begged to be allowed to go back with her to Eretz Yisroel, back to a Land ravaged by famine and to a life that would surely be fraught with difficulties. “Where you will go, I will go. Where you will stay, I will stay. Your Nation is My Nation and Your G-d is my G-d as well.” What an amazing and powerful statement!
Picture yourself in that situation – could you have made such a resolute proclamation? However, we understand that now that she had been exposed to Godliness, Rus was determined to never let it go. The future would prove that Rus would be justly rewarded for her resolve – she married Boaz and miraculously gave birth to Oved who would father the righteous Yishai, whose youngest son was the beloved king of Klal Yisroel, Dovid Hamelech – “The Sweet Singer of Israel” and father of the eternal Davidic Dynasty.
Today’s song, Amech Ami, is by the talented Israeli Goldshmid trio, Kol Achai, from their 2003 album called B’karov. It was composed by Yitzchak Goldshmid (as most of their songs were), and written in honor of the wedding of his brother and fellow Kol Achai member Boaz. Yes, Boaz. Boaz married an American girl and following the wedding, moved to her side of the world for a while. Thus – “Ki el asher telchi, eilech” – “Where you will go, I will go, too.”
There are many Torah-themed songs that could have been chosen today, but I really wanted to get to the root of it all. What transformed Bnei Yisroel into a nation worthy of receiving the Torah Hakdosha? It was their unified Lev Tov (=49!) – their absolute desire to do the Ratzon Hashem. We stood K’ish Echad B’Lev Echad! We called out Na’aseh V’nishma! We showed that we wanted to be close to Hashem and to emulate His ways more than anything else.
What an appropriate song to listen to as we prepare to stand under the chuppah this Shavuos. Because when we can sing to Hashem and proclaim our desire to acquire His Torah and to perform His Mitzvos, Hashem will rejoice with us, His kallah, Klal Yisroel. All we have to do is want it.
Wishing everyone a hearty Mazal Tov and a momentous Yom Tov!
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