Shavuot: the lowest rose to the heavens and the heavens came to the earth

For every Jew one of the greatest events in the history of our nation and humanity as a whole is the day of the Sinai Revelation. On this day in the year 2448 from creation (1312 BC) G-d gave the Jews the Torah and the Ten Commandments — the moral and ethical basis of all human civilization. And we celebrate Shavuot on this day. This is the name given in the Torah, and literally means "weeks". This is because it is celebrated after counting seven weeks from the second day of Passover. In the Talmud also the name Atzeret ("the final feast") is used, expressing the idea that the day of the giving of Torah is inextricably linked with the day of our liberation from slavery.

The essence of the Sinai Revelation can be expressed in the words of King David that at the time of the giving of Torah the heavens and earth have met: "the lowest have risen to the heavens, and the heavens have come to the earth."

While Shavuot is celebrated as the anniversary of the Sinai Revelation, it is not the only important event connected with this day. On the sixth of Sivan, on Shavuot, died King David, the Psalmist and the founder of the Royal dynasty to be crowned by Mashiach. Additionally, two and a half centuries ago to those events added a third one - the departure from this world of the founder of Hasidism, Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov.

The story of David is marked by two important points. Firstly, he was the first king who ruled all the people of Israel and established the eternal dynasty of Jewish kings, to which, in the end, the power will return. Secondly, although the honor to build the Temple fell to his son, Shlomo, David designed the Temple and laid its foundations. Both of these merits (the Kingdom and the Temple) characterize the work of David as a continuous effort to elevate the earth and the mankind and bring them to G-d.

The Baal Shem Tov has devoted his life to "lower the heavens", to bring the divine into the world, to bring G-d to people. In fact, the very essence of Chassidism is to make the presence of G-d in the world (hidden from humans according to His will) obvious, evident and tangible for everyone.

A story of hasides tells how one of the wise men left home and his young wife for a long time to study at Mesopotamia from Rabbi Dov-Ber - the disciple and successor of Baal Shem Tov. Upon returning home to the sarcastic question of his father-in-law: "What did you do there for so long?" — he replied: "There I learned that the G-d is!" Surprised and disappointed father-in-law called the cook and asked her if there is G-d, to which she confidently replied, "Yes, my Lord, the G-d is." The father-in-law turned to his son-in-law and quipped, "Was it worth to leave the house to find out it, when even the cook believes in G-d?!". The son-in-law replied: "She says that the G-d is, and I know it."

That is why the story of Jews between two important milestones — bringing Torah, and Mashiach coming — binds inextricably the first event (celebrated on the holiday of Shavuot) with King David and the Baal Shem Tov. They vere those who made the most in Jewish history to make happen the meeting of heaven and earth for the "lowest rose to the heavens, and the heavens have come to earth." It is known that the day of the death of the righteous is not a time of mourning but of celebration. For King David and the Baal Shem Tov it is Shavuot.

Here we congratulate our dear members of hesed - beneficiaries, volunteers and staff – with the holiday of Shavuot! Let G-d hear your prayers and grant everyone grace, prosperity, peace and love!

Hag Shavuot sameah!

Shavuot: the lowest rose to the heavens and the heavens came to the earth

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