Our Sages taught that there should always be growth in the realm of holiness and spirituality. Consequently, each year’s efforts in preparations for Shavuos should surpass that of the previous year.
From Rosh Chodesh We Should Add Further In
Ahavas Yisroel and Achdus Yisroel—love and unity amongst Jews—reflecting the way in which the Jewish people camped at Mount Sinai on Rosh Chodesh Sivan—“like one man with one heart.”
The concept of prefacing na’aseh (“We will do”) to nishmah (“We will hear”)—this event, which took place on the fifth of Sivan, represents the bitul (self-nullification) and the unconditional acceptance of G-d’s commandments.
Torah—the very thing for which we are preparing ourselves.
Study the Ma’amar “Bachodesh Hashlishi”
It is worthwhile and fitting to study the Chassidic discourse entitled Bachodesh Hashlishi (“In the third month…”). We should begin studying with eagerness on the actual day of Rosh Chodesh—and then steadily advance in its study over the course of the next few days.
Explain Ma’amar to All
We should publicize the directive to study this discourse in every location, and it should be implemented in actuality. We should make it clear that studying the discourse is relevant to each man, woman and child. It is something we can teach and explain to every Jew, each on their own level.
Complete the Final Steps to Matan Torah
In his Shulchan Aruch, the Alter Rebbe states: Immediately after Rosh Chodesh [Sivan], Moshe began to busy the people with preparations for receiving the Torah. The Alter Rebbe then continues and explains at length the various stages of preparation that took place on the final days leading up to the Giving of the Torah. Superficially, this account appears to be historical in nature; however, its inclusion in a Code of Law indicates that it has a legal implication. It is an instruction for each of us to follow the same path of preparation for the annual Giving of the Torah, mirroring each stage in which Moshe guided the Jews back then.
Rosh Chodesh is the third day in the seventh week to the counting of the Omer, close to the completion of the service of counting along with all of its details—including the result: “May abundant bounty be bestowed upon all the worlds…” The Jewish people, for their part, now constitute a “fitting, pure and holy receptacle” within which to receive the Torah. This elaborate preparation is necessary, because the Torah is G-d’s Wisdom and Will that has been drawn down and revealed within all of Torah’s details—even down to the ink used to inscribe its words on parchment.
Even to Minors
Just as the general concept of the Giving of the Torah is relevant to each Jew, even children—at least as far as our obligation to educate them in Torah is concerned. In truth, it was specifically due to the children—who were under the age of obligation to observe the Torah and Mitzvos at the time—serving as our guarantors, that the Torah was given to the entire nation. The same applies to our study of the discourse Bachodesh Hashlishi.
