Torah and Human Pleasure

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January 29 2009
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The Talmud (Pesachim 68b) records a tannaitic dispute about the appropriate way to experience the Jewish festivals, based on a disagreement over the reconciliation of two apparently contradictory verses. One verse (Devarim 16:8) describes the holidays as a time belonging to Hashem, to be spent in Torah study and prayer. The second verse (BaMidbar 29:35) describes the holidays as lachem, belonging to us, indicating that they are intended for our pleasure and should be celebrated with festive meals. Rabbi Yehoshua concludes that the festival day should be split in half in order to fulfill both verses (see Rambam, Hilchos Yom Tov 6:19). Rabbi Eliezer, on the other hand, conludes that one may choose between
dedicating the day entirely to Torah study or celebrating with festive meals, but not both.
Although Rabbi Yehoshua and Rabbi Eliezer disagree regarding every other holiday, the striking exception to their dispute is Shavuos. Regarding Shavuos, all agree that one must devote a portion of the day to eating and drinking. The gemara explains that the reason for this unanimous requirement is that Shavuos is the day on which Hashem gave the Torah to the Jewish people. Tosafos points out that this is a logical inference and therefore does
not require a passuk for support. This is even more puzzling: of all holidays, we would expect Shavuos to be the one holiday of total dedication to Torah study, not the one holiday on which all agree that one must devote a portion of the day to eating and drinking! The holiday
of Mattan Torah should be celebrated with learning, which is the reason behind the widely-accepted custom of learning Torah all night on Shavuos.
Additionally, though one is usually not permitted to offer upon the Mizbe'ach (Altar) anything that contains chametz, on Shavuos the Torah commands us to bring the Shtei HaLechem (the Two Loaves), which are chametz. The Omer offering, brought on the second day of Pesach, is, of course, matzah. Chametz is generally associated with the human ego, in contrast to the simplicity of matzah. Once again, we find that Shavuos is singled out among the holidays as the day of expression of the human ego.
Rabbi Avraham of Sochachov, in the introduction to his Iglei Tal, discusses whether it is appropriate for one to derive satisfaction from limud haTorah (the study of Torah). Perhaps deriving pleasure from ones limud haTorah renders it shelo lishmah (for ulterior motives). He concludes that experiencing joy in limud haTorah is not only lishmah, but an intrinsic part of the mitzvah of Talmud Torah. Hashem gave us the Torah for our benefit and pleasure.
Life in this world is enhanced through Torah. We demonstrate this by eating and drinking on Shavuos. Our acceptance of the Torah transforms our physical pleasure, elevating it to levels of spirituality. To this effect, even the human ego can be utilized in our religious lives - the natural drive to excel enables us to deepen our understanding of Torah. This is the lesson of Shavuos, a day of devotion to learning Torah and living Torah.

Holidays:

References: Pesachim: 68b  

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    Learning on the Marcos and Adina Katz YUTorah site is sponsored today by Judy & Mark Frankel & family l'ilui nishmos מרדכי בן הרב משה יהודה ע"ה and משה יהודה ז"ל בן מאיר אליהו ויהודית