Shavuot

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“And he heard the Voice speaking itself to him.” (7:89)

The Voice that was had been heard at Sinai, in its full magnitude and majesty, was always heard by Moshe in the Ohel Moed. Those standing outside heard nothing. Moshe always listened in Fear, for the sweet violence of the Voice that had been heard at Sinai by everyone was now heard in the Ohel Moed by Moshe alone. Thus all the Torah which Moshe learned from Hashem was received with the most profound awe in every instance, whether at Sinai or in the privacy of the Ohel Moed.

“From between the two Cherubim.” (7:89)

Against the explicit and very stern prohibition of any images (Shemot 20:4), the presence of the two Cherubim in such an open manner and in the most sacred place seems an unparalleled contradiction. But this remarkable phenomenon serves to lend the greatest emphasis to the supreme importance of the two Tablets of the Covenant in the Ark over where the Cherubim stood guard.

The Tablets were the most unusual objects in the Universe, because they bore the inscription engraved by the finger of G-d. (Shemot 34:1) But the most precious aspect of the Tablets was even more outstanding than the inscription, for the ideas expressed by the inscription were more valuable than anything in the world. Thus Hashem demonstrates that the Torah is the important center of the Universe and its value to Hashem is unequalled.

And therefore, the Cherubim were stationed there to demonstrate this truth. Thus, even though we thank Hashem forever for “making the luminaries, for His kindliness is forever,” (Tehillim 136:7) yet an even greater kindliness did He bestow when He gave us the Torah, which is the supreme kindliness. The gift of an object from G-d is indeed of the vastest importance, but when Hashem bestows a gift of His thoughts, our ecstasy and gratitude should be unequalled.

Quoted from “A Journey Into Greatness” by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameyach

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