{Guest column by Rifka Drelich, Chabad Shlucha, ‘My story’ Pioneer project coordinator}
Not that long ago dear reader, I received something incredibly special, the most special gift that one can receive, and I would like to take this opportunity to share it with you.
This gift was not wrapped up the way that one might expect it to be, yet there was something unique about its presentation, and from whom it was coming from.
You see fellow reader; I can say that without a shadow of doubt this gift is one that no other can be compared to, not even to the likes of the Stanley cup, or awards given at the Oscars. And whilst I can admit that I have never received any one of those, I can still say with certainty, that my gift is way more precious.
As those stand on a shelf to be admired and looked at, yet with each passing day, it becomes a distant past and all that is left is a memory of the thrill of that moment, with no future and no passing legacy.
What I have is something used day to day, throughout my very life, one that leaves a legacy not just to be remembered, but to be lived. This gift I would not only cherish until eternity, but would openly, unabashedly worship the grounds of the one who gave it to me.
Dear reader, if you are still with me and have not yet turned the page or switched back to your iPhone – you have probably guessed it by now, it is the Torah.
The Ten Commandments that were given not just to me, but to you too.
This gift, some may turn around and say, “Who needs it, with all the do’s and don’ts, couldn’t G-d just have simplified things, after all, what gift is a gift when there are rules attached?!”
So I say to you, let’s dare to imagine for just a moment, that our positions were reversed, and that we were the father, the parent, the giver, and wanted to give our beloved, our children a precious gift unlike any other. A gift that can be passed on from generation to generation, one that does not fade, become stale, outdated, but lives with the times, even if our children cannot yet understand its full value now. There will come a time when we know they will. Wouldn’t we too give instructions on how to care for the gift knowing that the decision to follow those instructions lies with the receiver and ultimately with us the Jewish People?
This Shavuot let us remember, not only to Thank G-d for His precious gift to us- the Torah, but, let us give Him a gift too, and make this year different from the last by doing just one more mitzvah, one more good deed and one more act of kindness so the forces of good will win, and evil won’t stand a chance.
Why not say that this year is going to be different, that I am going to do more than I have been doing? By joining your fellow Jews all over the world, by coming to a shul- synagogue near you, to hear the Ten Commandments being recited all over again.
Yes, you dear reader ! ‘Am Yisroel is K’ish Echad. B’leiv Echad’ –The nation of Israel, is compared to one man, with one heart.’ And therefore you make a difference.
And then, may the Almighty G-d, the Angels on high, and our loved ones who have passed on, answer with a resounding Amein!
Have a wonderful Shavuos!
(Inspired by the talks of the Lubavitcher Rebbe- Rabbi Menachem Mendel Shneerson)