Rabbi Saul Emanuel Statement on Shavuos 2019

Dear Friend,

When a Chassan and Kallah, a bride and groom get married the wedding date is set and the families and the couple start the countdown leading up to the wedding day.

So too, with Klal Yisrael, the nation of Israel who commence the countdown the second night of Pesach which culminates with the Yom Tov of Shavuos. This is the day we have all been waiting for. The day when we became a true nation as we entered into the convenant of marriage between Hashem and ourselves. Hashem gave us the Torah at Har Sinai.

After all the trials and tribulations which we underwent we became an independent nation, and the Torah became the marriage contract between the one above and ourselves. Our obligation and desire is to keep all that is written in it and not waiver from that original commitment. Each year when we count the days of the Omer we reignite this commitment and reaffirm our bond.

It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to adhere to the Torah and all that is in it; everything pertaining to those commandments between Hashem and us and between us and our fellow human beings. The laws and Mitzvos in the Torah have not changed and do not change with time. It is those very Torah laws which we received and committed ourselves to at Sinai that kept us as a Jewish nation and which keep us going. The Torah is eternal and so too are all of its laws.

We just need to recommit and ensure that the bond between the bride and groom is tight. We only do so by showing that we adhere to the marriage contract, the Torah. Thereby, we ensure that the marriage will last and our love remains strong.

Let’s unite as a nation and give strength to one another by studying the Torah and learning all its laws. Let’s educate the future generation as to what the Torah Hashem’s nation is all about. By doing this, we ensure true Continuity and an everlasting bond between Hashem, the Torah and ourselves.

Wishing Jews across the Montreal and the world a meaningful Good Yom Tov, Chag Samayach.

Rabbi Saul Emanuel

Director, JCC Montreal