Shavuot
We
do not know about you, but we love to receive presents. Sometimes the best
presents are the things we did not even think we needed but then turn out
to be indispensable.
Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates receiving. This year we
celebrate Shavuot on May 28. Historically Shavuot celebrates the harvest
of the first fruits. According to tradition it commemorates the day Moses
received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments later
became the foundation for both Judaism and Christianity.
The Ten Commandments are rules to guarantee you a wonderful life. The
first commandments is "I am the LORD your God". What could be simpler? God
is telling us two things. One is that He is Adonai, the Lord, the
one and only ruler of Heaven and Earth. Secondly, He is your Lord and my
Lord and everyone else’s Lord who lives on the planet Earth. He is not
asking us to acknowledge Him as Lord; He is telling us He is the Lord.
The second part of the first commandment is "You shall have no other
gods before me." God knows us better than we know ourselves. We have a
tendency to elevate people to positions they do not belong. Sometimes we
elevate a doctor, minister/rabbi, teacher or person in authority into
heavenly realms. If the _____ (you fill in the blank) said it then it has
to be true. We are to remember that God is the final authority on all
matters.
The second commandment is "You shall not make yourself an idol." Here
we go again. It is so characteristic of our nature that Hollywood has
capitalized on it with American Idol. No one is supposed to occupy that place in our heart
except for the Lord.
The third commandment is "You shall not make wrongful use of the name
of your God." Why in the world do we swear in the name of God? There is
power in the name of God and it is not a good idea to use it as a curse
word.
The fourth commandment is "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy." In
other parts of the Holy Scriptures God tell us one of the reasons for this
is so that we remember that we are a holy people. Saturday for some,
Sunday for others is not like any other day of the week. By not following
our usual routine (working, etc.) it may help us to remember how special
we are to God.
The fifth commandment is "Honor your parents." Notice God does not say
Honor your good parents. Whether or not our parents deserve honor we are
still commanded to honor them. Remember, if not for them we would not be
here.
The sixth commandment is "You shall not murder." Most of us do not kill
other people; however, sometimes we may wish death or calamity befall an
arch enemy. These thoughts only hurt us. Thinking murderous thoughts is
not a healthy thing to do.
The seventh commandment is "You shall not commit adultery." We are
bombarded by Hollywood with all sorts of messages that are unholy and
immoral. By entertaining thoughts of infidelity, we are opening the door
to the physical action. Cut it off at the pass, turn off the soap opera,
put the romance novel down, avert your eyes - appreciate the one you have
at home.
The eighth commandment is "You shall not steal." God wants our
consciences to be so attuned to Him that even taking a Bic pen bothers us.
The ninth commandment is "You shall not bear false witness." God does
not want us lying about other people. Telling stories that are untrue
about others is injurious to all.
The tenth commandment is "You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife and
you shall not covet your neighbor's house."
Be satisfied with who you are and what you have. Discontent only leads to
unhappiness.
Revisiting the Ten Commandments every Shavuot gives our lives clearer
definition, shows us areas to work on and gives us a code of conduct.
Commandments do not leave room for gray areas.
While you are chewing on these concepts you might like to wrap your
lips around this delicious Blintz Torte. Traditionally Shavuot is observed
by eating dairy dishes. We guarantee this one is a winner.
