B'H   CANDLE LIGHTING: 8:09 PM

Dear Friend,

How do you greet someone on Shavuos?

Of course, there is CHAG SAMEACH and GUT YOM TOV. But these are more general holiday greetings. What is the specific blessing we give others on Shavuos?

It goes like this:

KABBALAT HATORAH B’SIMCHA U’PNIMIYOUT

Simply translated the blessing is: You should receive the Torah joyously and in an "inner" way.

Let’s dissect what that means:

Each year on Shavuot we receive the Torah once again. But the Torah shouldn't be received as a mighty burden or heavy load. (Imagine the reply of the unmotivated student when asked to do some assignment, "Do I have to?", clearly showing he'd rather be doing something else.) Rather, it should be with incredible excitement and happiness! Shavuos is the greatest event in our history and the time Hashem made us his special people and charged us with a unique mission.

And so we bless others that they should receive the Torah with a joy (simcha) that reflects a real appreciation of the Torah as the treasured gift that it is. As King David puts it in Psalms (119:97) How I love your Torah! I meditate on it all day.

And when this genuine “simcha” for Torah is present, the next word, “in an inner way” (U’PNIMIYOUT) follows:

For the joy permeates every fiber of our being. It is studied in a manner where it is "etched" and "engaved" insid of us.  We become united with the teachings that are "downloaded" inside of us.The Torah touches our very core. 

We wish everyone a KABBALAT HATORAH B’SIMCHA U’PNIMIYOUT,

Rabbi Yisroel and Rebbetzin Chana

PS. See our complete Shavuot schedule below! Please note that we will also be meeting on Thursday for davening and Yizkor.

This Shabbos, we’ll be back at Chabad for davening at 9:30 am with Torah Reading and discussion at 10:30 am and a kiddush at around 12:30 pm. The kiddush is sponsored by Pam Minore.

complete shavuos schedule

Prepare! Tuesday June 3rd beginning @ 8:15 pm There is an ancient Jewish custom to stay up the night of Shavuot in study - What better way to prepare and show our excitement for the Torah! Talks from community members include: What is the first of the Ten Commandments really instructing us? What are the proofs for the Sinai Experience? Do not be Jealous: What is the commandment and how it this possible? Do not Steal - Can I use someone's Wifi without their permission? There will be a delicious buffet along with plenty of coffee! Come and go when you want. Following the presentations there will be classes on: 1) A tour around Torah – From books of Tanach you may have never studied before to studying sections all over Talmud, we’ll "sample" from over a dozen sections of the Torah. 2) Bargain or Dishonesty? Can you buy a valuable antique for $5 without disclosing its true value to the owner? Is it ethical to check out merchandise at BestBuy but then purchase online? We'll explore these and many other ethical issues related to the marketplace through the lens of Jewish ethics in the Talmud. We will begin at 8:15 pm, take a break for Maariv (Evening Service) and refreshments and then continue with our second round of presentations and classes by Rabbi Yisroel. Books will also be available for studying alone. Come and go when you want! Experience and celebrate! Wednesday, June 4th @ 5:30pm It is during the Reading of the Ten Commandments that we once again accept G-d's incredible gift to the Jewish People, the Torah. This is an important yearly Mitzvah! It is customary to bring children, even infants, to this reading, as they are our "guarantors" for Judaism's future. A Special Educational and Exciting Children's Program with Rebbetzin Chana will take place in the lounge at 5:30 pm! Ice Cream and Cheescake Party following the Reading of the Ten Commandments! Reflect Thursday, June 5th. Davening @ 10:30 am, Yizkor @ Noon      Thank you to our Shavuos Sponsors Late Night Learning: Itsko Family Ice Cream/Cheecake Party: Gold Sponsor: Renee Williamson Silver Sponsors: Fatal Family, Feigin Family, and Grinshpon Family Want to learn more about the holiday? Visit our Shavuot 101 Section here.