Teaching Team
Shavuot: A Time of Anniversaries
The omer countdown from Pesach is almost complete. Tonight begins the festival of Shavuot.
Shavuot is known in Hebrew as Zeman Matan Torateinu, "The Time of the Giving of the Torah," as it is the anniversary of when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai. For us as believers in Messiah Yeshua it is also the anniversary of the giving of the Spirit in Acts 2 which also took place on the morning of Shavuot.
Traditionally, Shavuot is also the anniversary of both the birth and death of King David. It is fitting that David, who loved the God's Torah, was born and dies on the day it was given. David writes:
Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:97-115)
This year is also the 250th anniversary of the death of the Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760), who is considered the founder of the modern Chassidic movement. The Ball Shem Tov summed up the Torah in much the same way our Master Yeshua did:
"Love your fellow as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18) is an interpretation of and commentary on "Love the Lord, your God" (Deuteronomy 6:5). He who loves his fellow loves God, because all have within themselves a "part of God above" (Job 31:2). When one loves his fellow, he loves his fellow's inner essence, and thereby loves God. (Thirty-Six Aphorisms of the Baal Shem Tov)
At First Fruits of Zion, we wish you a festival filled with God's Spirit and his Torah and may you be blessed richly in our Messiah Yeshua! Chag Sameach!
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Visitor Feedback:
Thanks for sending this to me from First Fruits.Chag Sameach! Thanks for the reminder it is also the anniversary of the giving of the Spirit Acts 2. I needed this reminder!
Aileen Ross Scotland | May 18, 2010 5:26 PM
Yikes! It is more than a misstep to infer THE commandment to love YAH as comparable to acts of kindness to ones' neighbor or loving oneself; rather like directing a hiker into the Grand Canyon from terra firma. The overflow of love & obedience to the Father allow us an understanding of HIS SON & individual purpose for each of natsurim (branches) in the community of believers. Should your response to such precipitate a deed to alleviate hardship for another or exercise compassion upon someone; be grateful as the Ruach Kodesh , Holy Spirit, has moved you!
DM DB | May 24, 2010 11:31 AM