I Want Torah
Although the Torah is given to us totally as a gift and we don’t need to demonstrate mesirus nefesh in order to receive it, there is one thing that is required of the recipient of a gift, and that is to want the gift. This is a necessary precondition for the gifting to take place.
When were the nations of the world disqualified by Hakadosh Baruch Hu? From the time that Hakadosh Baruch Hu gave the Torah at Sinai. He went around to all the nations, offering them to receive the Torah, and they didn’t want, as it says, ה’ מסיני בא – “Hashem came from Sinai.” He said to the people of Eisav, “Will you accept My Torah?” They replied, “What is written in it?” He answered, “You shall not kill.” They said to Him, “That is what we rely on....” And so He said to the people of Yishmael, “Will you accept My Torah?” They replied, “What is written in it?” He answered, “You shall not steal.” They said, “That is what we rely on... we will not accept it. Give it to Your people, as it says, ה’ עוז לעמו יתן –‘Hashem gives strength [i.e., Torah] to His people.’” Hashem said to them, “Those who accept My Torah are the ones I will bless with peace, as it says, ה’ יברך את עמו בשלום –‘“Hashem will bless His people with peace.’”
The only thing the Jewish people did to receive the Torah was want it and desire it. Moshe led the people out of the camp toward Hashem to receive the Torah, and they went. Since they really desired the Torah, they received it.
The same is true today. Unlike Pesach, where the main avodah is connected to matzah, the avodah on Shavu’os is just to want the gift of Torah and to value it. Hakadosh Baruch Hu is waiting to see, so to speak, what we will do with His holy Torah.
This may be compared to someone who wants to give his friend a precious diamond. But he will give it to him only if he knows that his friend will guard it well and appreciate its value. If he sees that the recipient of the diamond is going to play with it in the sandbox, there is no way he will give it to him.
Similarly, on Shavu’os we don’t have to do any special mitzvos. We just have to want the Torah Hakedoshah, that’s all. This is the main avodah of the day.
