As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And you shall proclaim on this self-same day, a holy convocation it should be to you.” 23:21

Here, we see a most unexpected phenomenon: the Giving of the Torah is not mentioned.

The day is called “the Festival of Reaping” (Shemot 23:16) and “the day of the First Fruits (Bikurim)” (Bamidbar 28:26), and here it is noted as the 50th Day after the Omer (23:16). But nothing is said about the most stupendous event in the world’s history, when Hashem spoke from Mount Sinai to the entire nation.

The Men of the Great Assembly mention it in the prayers as “the time of the giving of the Torah,” but in the Torah itself only names of materialistic significance are found. This most remarkable phenomenon is paralleled by another remarkable fact: the obligation of Birkat Hamazon, to render thanks for satiation of bread, is written openly in the Torah (Devarim 8:10) and all the Sages are unanimous that this is a “Torah obligation.” However, the obligation to pronounce a Beracha for reading or saying words of Torah is not mentioned openly in the Torah, and not all authorities agree that it is a Torah obligation, although the greatest of Hashem’s gifts is the Torah. “It is more precious than pearls…” (Mishle 8:11)

A fundamental explanation can be found in the fact that despite the magnificence of the gift of Torah, yet the magnificence of the gift of life is greater. “Better one moment of Teshuba and Good Deeds in this world, more than all the life in the World to Come.” (Abot 4:17) Therefore, because the harvest and the fruit and the produce provide the opportunity to live and to achieve, the Festivals are named after them. When the Jew gives thanks for his bread, he thanks Hashem for the life that bread makes possible, and for the many opportunities that life offers in greatness of Torah and Mitzvot and in the service of Hashem in countless ways.

Quoted from A Kingdom of Cohanim by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom

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