Thousands of years ago, the Jewish people, united as a nation, stood together at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the word of G-d. This is the only incident of mass revelation in the entire history of any religion that has ever existed. Today, we, as members of that same Jewish people, still celebrate this Holy event.

Shavuot is a holiday during which it’s customary to stay up all night and learn. You might say to yourself: ‘Ok, sure. I can stay up all night with my cup of Coffee Bean coffee, but what should I learn?’ And you can answer ‘Self (or however you refer to your subconscious), maybe we should learn the same things we got all those thousands of years ago’

Once a person comes to that conclusion, they might still be conflicted about a couple of things. 1) Surely after all the time that’s passed since we’ve received the Torah at Mount Sinai we must’ve learnt it all by now, right? 2) And besides is it even relevant today?

Well, to answer question number 1- nope, not at all. There’s still so much to learn it’s incredible! What we received back then was something eternal and alive. And just as both individuals and as a nation changes and shifts, so does the Torah. Over time it has taken on a life of its own, and it is a source of spiritual nourishment for the Jewish people. In fact, the Torah has been given the status of water- it is the one thing that no man, plant or animal can live without.

The Torah, like water, is constantly flowing, and the molecules that make up that water are its words. These direct and Divine words of the Creator of the Universe, were what were given over to the Jewish people on Shavuot- as a covenant directly from G-d to Moshe at Mount Sinai, and from Moshe to us.

Whoa - that sounds a little heavy. What does it actually mean, a ‘covenant‘? Well, it’s a two-part thing. G-d gave the laws and we received them. Now, that may sound like two different things, but if you think about getting a gift, the person giving it has to want you to have it, and you need to accept it. So when we received the 10 commandments from G-d, we agreed to follow his laws, statutes and ordinances for the rest of our lives.

The Jews, unified as one body, declared their loyalty and service to G-d and our dedication to that promise is the reason for our miraculous existence today.

The lines between our past, present and future share this common theme of service of God. We’ve died for this covenant, suffered enormously, but have also rejoiced and celebrated in the fulfillment of these words.

The Torah tells us that God wants to shower us with blessing; to give us a land of milk and honey; to allow us to no longer work by the sweat of our brow. But rather to take the time to focus on our spiritual being and to be able to learn and grow so we can serve Him in more elevated ways.

We also have a responsibility to teach others and raise the spiritual consciousness of all people. As the Maharal 16th century Talmudic scholar wrote in “Tiferet Yisrael” (a philosophical exposition of the Torah meant to be studied on Shavuot) - we are more than just animal souls, we are elevated beings with a thinking soul and a need for spiritual sustenance.

These are difficult goals to strive towards. Are we really capable of reaching such spiritual heights?

Not only are we able, but that’s what we are created for. All we need to do to make this reality here and now is to allow ourselves to receive. To fulfill our purpose and find meaning in our lives we need to clear ourselves of our ego.

Imagine yourself as a vessel- a gorgeous crystal vase. Now, God wants to pour bounty and blessing into our vase. However, if our vase is full of regret or pain or self importance, then there will be no room to receive.

Wisdom and growth in our lives can come slowly over time. We fill our ‘vases’ with experience, laughter and sometimes even suffering. The key, though, is to continually be able to accept what comes our way, save the ‘nutrients’ that benefit us from each event, and clear out space to allow for further growth. This way, we can have the full benefit of the lessons of life, yet continue to live and learn without end.

This Shavuot, I’d like to give us all the blessing that we can see our pasts with clarity, learn what we can from those experiences and let them go with love. Imagine how much we can receive in our futures with hope and optimism and the wisdom of our pasts that keep us remaining firmly grounded in the gift of today.

After the first night of Pesach, where we as Jews celebrate the exodus of Egypt from slavery to freedom, there is a special commandment to count each evening with a blessing until the Holiday of Shavuot when we celebrate the receiving of the Torah from G-d on Mt. Sinai,

What is this counting? Why are we doing it?

When we left Egypt, we left as slaves- finally liberated from the bondage we had been enslaved with for over 200 years. However, by the time we actually received the Torah at Sinai we were not only a free people comprised of individuals, but we essentially became a unified whole; a mass of human beings that were so united in purpose and understanding that we were identified as “guf echad” - one body. This incident of unanimity is the foundation of the Jewish people. How is it that several million people reached this level of “achdut – brotherhood or unity”?

Egypt was hell for the Jewish people. The suffering experienced there was more than most of us today can conceive and it lasted for more than two centuries! Yet, somehow out of the ashes of that fiery inferno came the strength to leave it all behind and the desire of the Jewish people to serve something greater than their Egyptian taskmasters.

Avraham, the forefather of the Jewish people, debated and plead with G-d not to destroy Sodom & Gomorrah- despite these cities being immoral and depraved societies. “Perhaps,” Abraham argued, “there are some people who live there who deserve to be spared?” After learning that there weren’t even 10 individuals worth saving, Avraham finally relented.

Why is it then, that after arguing so enthusiastically for a place where there weren’t even 10 people worth saving, that when informed of his own ancestors future descent into Egypt and forced slavery for hundreds of years, that Avraham did not utter a word? This takes some serious pondering.

One possibility is that we, the Jewish people were the proverbial “diamond in the rough.” Only through the suffering and darkness of that time, could we as a nation be refined from our hardened, coal-like state and honed into a diamond- a people who knew the meaning of servitude and, in turn, would now be able to distinguish and appreciate the difference between being slaves to our worldly desires and true freedom.

Success is only attained through effort, and according to the effort, such is the reward.

Our people have strained and suffered through history over and over again to live up to the status of The Chosen People.

However, as The Chosen People we have been pursued (as in the Egyptians pursuing us at the Red Sea), persecuted (during the Spanish Inquisition, for example), and destroyed (physically in the smoldering ovens of the Holocaust; and spiritually during the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem). Many Jews have beseeched G-d to revoke our ‘Chosen’ status.

That begs the question: Are we Chosen, or are we required to Choose?

During the Counting of the Omer, every single day we choose; choose to take a step towards the Service of G-d’s Holiness; choose to move towards being good people; and choose to create good in this world. We use our experiences as a people, and the wisdom that experience has granted us to learn from the past and create a better future. But what is ‘wisdom,’ anyway?

“Wisdom is an ideal that has been celebrated since antiquity as the knowledge needed to live a good life.” This is the definition given by that great knower of all..that is…Wikipedia

So, how are we to use this wisdom and live the said ‘good life’? Well, that seems to depend on what we want. Wisdom is only a tool- a means to an end.

So what is it we strive for? How do we define ‘success’? I think the biggest question we need to ask ourselves is what we really see when we look at ourselves in the mirror? It’s a tough question, and oftentimes, the answer can be disturbing or uncomfortable. But by facing this question and reflecting upon our inner selves, we can really begin to utilize our wisdom in a positive manner.

According to Rabbi Noach Weinberg, there are 48 ways to reach wisdom in this world; and they are not what one may think. Sure, a degree from an Ivy League University is nice, but somehow it doesn’t seem to make his list. Just a few of the items he categorizes are:
“Listening effectively”
“Living life with constant joy”
“The Power of Awe”
“Mastering Fear”

If each Jew leaving Egypt mastered all of the 48 ways to wisdom as they counted the days from 1 to 48, and reviewed it all on the 49th day, then by the 50th day, Shavuot, they would be worthy and ready to receive the word of G-d and the instructions or codes for living life as free people. This entails living a life of meaning, of depth, of joy and, yes, a life of service.

If we are really honest with ourselves, we all serve something in this world; whether its money, beauty, power or success- we choose our master. So, the question becomes how do we define freedom?

This time, during the Counting of the Omer, we have a greater strength to choose growth, deeper understanding and goodness.

As the Torah clearly states:
“I have put before you this day life and death, blessing and curse. Choose life, so you and your offspring shall live” - Deuteronomy 30:19

Only a slave to the Truth, can be truly Free.

In today’s world it seems the word ‘appreciation’ is just not appreciated enough.

Think what an absolutely different world we would live in if individuals took it upon themselves to simply use the word “thanks” a little more often. It seems, however, that the ability to feel and show gratitude is a character trait that has fallen through the cracks and is not emphasized, taught and encouraged nearly as much as it should be.

In fact, at a young age we’re taught quite the opposite: the idea of self-sufficiency and independence. We learn that we must be strong and take what we want if we wish to get ahead in the world. When people get in our way, we need to figure out how to maneuver around them and get to the top to make our dreams a reality. And once we get there, well, we did all the work and we alone have earned it! All those who helped us along the way and guided and supported us, well, they’re not really that important anyway, right?

So, how do we address this feeling of entitlement that seems to permeate our everyday existence? When attacking an issue like this, empathy must come into play. I believe that people should follow their dreams. However, there is no need for that to impact the quality with which we treat others or the amount of appreciation we have for what we’ve already been blessed with. How often do we tell those closest to us that we’re grateful to have them in our lives? Far more often it takes losing a person to realize how much they really mean to us.

Hillel, one of the greatest Jewish scholars of all time described the essence of Judaism as such: “Love your brother as you would love yourself.”

Or, in other words, treat others as you yourself would like to be treated. Imagine yourself in another person’s shoes and you can really appreciate what they do for you. The school janitor, or the checkout bag-person, or even subordinates at work; these are all people who do work for you and are paid to do it- but that doesn’t make what they do any less valuable.

Jewish tradition gives us some clues with the blessings included in the morning service. Here are a few to give you a taste:

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, who gave the heart understanding to distinguish between day and night”

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, who clothes the naked”

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, who releases the bound”

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, Who has provided me my every need”

“Blessed are You, God, King of the Universe, Who gives strength to the weary.”

Why do we simply not just have one blessing which includes all of the above? They are separated in order for us to be able to show gratitude for EACH thing that G-d does for us- be it giving us clothes, providing for us, or giving us strength to get up in the morning.

Imagine waking each morning and sincerely thanking the Creator of the World that one is able to rise from bed, to be in full control of bodily functions, to enjoy a nutritious breakfast of one’s choosing, to be heartened by the aroma of that morning kick of caffeine. How sweet each day could be if we got up grateful to be alive?

We are the most privileged nation and people on the planet and yet somehow many of us choose to be unhappy and unappreciative of the gifts we are given every single day. It is easy to get up and focus on the challenges life offers. The traffic on the way to the office; the less than ideal job; family trials and tribulations or whatever unique problems persist. But why would you choose to be miserable with what you don’t have? Wouldn’t life be better if we focused on what we do?

Pirkei Avot – The Ethics of our Fathers teach us:
“Who is rich? He who is satisfied with his lot”

Living in Los Angeles we all know people trying to make it. The search for happiness abounds. Is it possible we are searching for something that we already contain within us? If we can take a moment to recognize and feel gratitude for what we do have rather than what we lack, who knows how much closer we can get to the destination of our long journey for happiness!

Suppose there’s a jigsaw puzzle composed of 10 000 pieces- our eyes immediately focus on the one piece that may be missing. Such is our awareness of our lives. But what if we stand back a little and look at the whole picture? Let’s see the gorgeous tapestry of the image of the many whole and integral pieces that already comprise our reality. Let’s focus on the multiple aspects of our lives that are functioning well and happily. Through that shift of energy and focus, it’s possible to feel the joy, meaning and inspiration we seek.

So the next time you’re checking out your groceries or using your co-worker’s hard work, remember to look them in the eye and utter the simple phrase ‘Thank you’; because the little things like that are the things that people really appreciate.