Today we are celebrating the feast of Shavuot that officially commenced on Tuesday evening but you may be aware that some people will be celebrating it tomorrow (Sunday) based upon different calculations originating from the ambiguity of the biblical command to mark the occasion “the day after Shabbat.” Does the Shabbat refer to a “High Shabbat” as understand by the Pharisees, or a literal Shabbat as understood by the Sadducees?
I don’t wish now to examine the merits of both (although I am happy to send anyone an article I wrote on the subject if interested). But I would simply like us to focus on the event itself to celebrate and reflect upon its relevance upon our lives as believers particularly in the present times we are living in.
And interestingly, today coincides with Father’s Day which is a nice thing to be reminded of so happy fathers day to all fathers present and for all businesses who are cashing in on the occasion.
The Torah portion for this week is “Naso” meaning to “lift up” or “elevate. This term was used to take a head count (census) of the Israelites – “naso et rosh” – “to lift up the heads” – and so as we celebrate Shavuot, lets lift up our heads to the eternal God who is the Father of all things seen and unseen the source of all life, and demonstrate our full appreciation of Him our Abba Father on this special day! The Father demonstrated His love for us that whilst we were sinners, He sent His only begotten Son who died for us that we might have eternal Life!
It is in this parasha that the “Birkat Kohanim” (Aaronic Blessing) is made (Num. 6:24) and it’s appropriate that as we celebrate Shavuot together we count God’s blessings upon us as the Psalmist emphasises in Ps. 103… “ who forgives all your iniquities and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion, who satisfies you with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Shavuot is a time of rejoicing but goes far beyond with many layers for us to reflect upon, but let’s begin with a few songs of worship followed by a short video of Shavuot after which I will follow up with some additional reflections which the Lord has placed upon my heart to share.
