Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Eliza McCarroll

Shavuot is my favourite Jewish holiday – which I guess makes it my favourite holiday, full stop. 

I love it because it’s the first chag I celebrated at Holy Blossom, just about four years ago. 

I love that it’s a festival dedicated to Jewish learning, whether you stay up until 9 pm, 11 pm, or all night long. 

I love the cheesecake too, sure! 

Most of all, I love that it is a festival dedicated to celebrating Torah, of receiving Torah and passing it along L’Dor Va’dor, from generation to generation. 

There is a famous Midrash, based on the Song of Songs, that teaches that when God was deciding to whom to gift the Torah, there was, naturally, a debate. 

The People of Israel say to God: “Our ancestors can be the guarantors!”, and God tells them: “They are the ones who need guarantors!” 

The People suggest the Prophets, and God says, “I have quarrels with them.”

Finally, the Israelites posit, “Our children will be our guarantors,” and God responds, “Now THESE are good guarantors!”  

In other words, what’s beautiful about Shavuot is that it is a celebration of our Jewish past, present, and future. 

As we revelled in the past, present, and future of our sacred congregation this past Monday night at our “North of Broadway” event, marking 170 years of Holy Blossom and supporting our Excellence in Education initiatives, so too does Shavuot remind us that we have a beaming, bright future ahead. 

On Erev Shavuot (Thursday 21 May), we will honour our teen leadership and Confirmation cohort with a congregation-wide dinner and beautiful tefilah led by our Confirmands. We encourage you to attend! 

Following our Cheesecake Reception, all are welcome to join special guest Professor Robert Gibbs for a study session entitled “NOT Thou Shalt Not: The Grammar of Laws”. 

Finally, on Shavuot Morning (Friday 22 May), join us for joyous Yom Tov Services, which will include the absolutely adorable Baby Blessing, for the sweet Littlest Blossoms born in the last year (there are a lot of them!). 

As we anticipate the chag, for all of the important information, including registration for the dinner, you can find the Shavuot listings HERE. 

See you as we celebrate Sinai!