It is well known that every person is judged during the 10-day period from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur (Rosh Hashanah 16b). What is not as well known is that the Arizal and Shelah HaKadosh write that we are judged on Shavuos as well, and in a sense, this verdict has an even greater impact on our lives. On Rosh Hashanah, Hashem decides our material success for the next 12 months, while on Shavuos, He determines how much success we will experience in our Torah studies in the year ahead.
Rav Yissocher Frand notes that we are taught to prepare for Rosh Hashanah by doing teshuvah, davening, and giving tzedokah which will positively influence the judgment that we receive. However, we are not given any comparable guidance to advise us how to get ourselves ready for Shavuos, so that we should be blessed with a year of accomplishments in our Torah study.
Rav Frand posits that the way Hashem evaluates each of us on Shavuos is our cheshek [desire] for learning Torah. The more that we show Hashem how central Torah is to our existence, the more He will bless us with opportunities to do so. Accordingly, our primary focus in preparing for Shavuos should be reflecting on the role that Torah plays in our lives and inculcating within ourselves an appreciation of how vital is to our survival, which will in turn create a cheshek to delve into it even more deeply.
As a convenient means of doing so, Rav Frand suggests that we strive in the days leading up to Shavuos to have extra kavonah [concentration] in the berachah that we say each morning just before Shema called “Ahavah Rabbah,” in which we beseech Hashem, “Instil in our hearts the ability to understand, elucidate, listen, learn, teach, safeguard, perform, and fulfil all the words of Your Torah’s teaching with love. Enlighten our eyes in Your Torah, and attach our hearts to Your commandments.” The intentions with which we invest these words demonstrate to Hashem how important these concepts are to us.
Additionally, the Chazon Ish advised that when davening Shemoneh Esrei, a person should ask for Divine assistance in his Torah study in the berachah of אתה חונן לאדם דעת - You endow man with wisdom. Just as we beseech Hashem with tremendous intensity for our medical needs in the blessing of רפאנו (Heal us) and for material sustenance in the berachah of ברך עלינו (bless this year’s crops for us), so too must we daven with equal fervor for Heavenly aid in our spiritual pursuits.
Rav Gedaliah Schorr adds that the key to cheshek for Torah study is not found when we open a sefer, but in our preparations for learning. When the Jewish people arrived at Har Sinai, the Torah (Shemos 19:1) records that they came “on this day.” Rashi writes that this expression is intended to teach us that the Torah should always be so fresh in our eyes that we feel as if it was just given to us that day.
Rav Schorr points out that although they arrived at Har Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Sivan, the Torah was not given until several days later. If so, the use of the phrase “on this day” to teach us that Divrei Torah should be new in our eyes seems to be misplaced. Why is it used in conjunction with the arrival at Har Sinai instead of the actual giving of the Torah on Shavuos?
Rav Schorr explains that the Torah is teaching us that the concept of “on this day” applies to the eager anticipation of Torah study, before any sefer has been opened. Even if we are planning to study a sugya or listen to a shiur on a topic with which we are already familiar, we should still approach it with enthusiasm. Rav Yisroel Reisman adds that when we look forward to something, we imbue it with value and import. The key to meriting a verdict on Shavuos for a year of reaching new heights in our learning depends on our attitude in the days before Yom Tov to eagerly yearn to reaccept the Torah.
Many people have the custom to stay up at night on Shavuos and learn Torah. What is the reason for this practice? Rav Reisman suggests that part of the value of spending the entire night engaged in Torah study is to re-experience the original excitement of the giving of the Torah, as we count down the hours and eagerly wait to receive it once again. Some skeptics question whether it is worth the effort to push oneself to remain awake for the entire night, which is quite difficult for most people. Rav Reisman explains that it is worthwhile to stay up as an expression of our longing and yearning for Hashem and His Torah.
As we prepare for Shavuos, let us all resolve to internalize the recognition that כי הם חיינו ואורך ימינו - words of Torah are our life and the length of our days, and in the merit of demonstrating our love of Torah to Hashem, may we all be found worthy for a year of tremendous growth and accomplishment in our Torah study and spiritual pursuits.
(R’ Ozer Alport)
