A Time For Healing
[This Year: 17th/18th May 2021]
It is written:
In Exodus 19.
“In the third month after the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. And when they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mount. And Moses went up unto G-d, and HaShem called unto him out of the mountain, saying: “Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto Myself.”
Furthermore: God spoke to Moses and said:
“Now therefore, if ye will hearken unto My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be Mine own treasure from among all peoples; for all the earth is Mine; and ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.’
And all the people answered together, and said: “All that HaShem hath spoken we will do.”
“And HaShem said unto Moses: ‘Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and may also believe thee for ever.’ And Moses told the words of the people unto HaShem.”
Now mount Sinai was altogether on smoke, because HaShem descended upon it in fire; and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. And when the voice of the horn waxed louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.”
“And God spoke all these words, saying:
I am HaShem thy G-d, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage …….”
This very spectacular event is recorded and commanded for us throughout all generations for it is The Giving of the Torah and The Feast of Weeks ~ the holiday of Shavuot.
The holiday of Shavuot is a time of healing. An auspicious time to pray for healing, not just for ourselves and our loved ones, but for all the sick and infirm of the world wherever they may be. Oftentimes, the very sick and infirm are unable to pray for themselves and it becomes incumbent upon all of us to pray for everyone who needs some sort of blessing for a complete physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery.
Many would wonder why Shavuot is such an auspicious time to pray for healing? After all, it is a festival, and feast periods are occasions for merrymaking, good and abundant foods for eating and lots of drinks to wash away sorrows and just be merry. However, it is most appropriate that in the midst of our plenty, we remember those who have nothing to eat, and in our most auspicious seasons, we lift up those who are sick and various stages and forms of pain and infirmity before the throne of God for His mercy and healing to flow towards them. Our sages teach us that if someone prays on behalf of someone else who needs help from the Almighty and the person praying is actually in need of the same assistance from the Almighty, he is answered as well, and often on a more immediate basis.
Therefore Shavuot the holiday we celebrate God giving them Torah to us upon Mount Sinai, is such an auspicious time and season to remember the sick and less fortunate. This season is in itself a wonderful season for healing for our JEWISH tradition has it that in this season, as our ancestors stood at Mount Sinai waiting to receive the Torah that God bestowed upon them the most amazing miracle! everyone who stood there was healed on Mount Sinai. Whether a person was blind, lame, deaf, or had any other infirmity – everyone was miraculously fully recovered. This is the reason that the name Mount Sinai appears on so many hospitals and medical complexes throughout the land of Israel and indeed throughout the world. The message in this incredible miracle is that to fully appreciate the gift of the Torah we should be in optimum health – without the distraction of ailments or infirmities.
Thus, Shavuot is an auspicious time to pray for everyone to receive a complete recovery, whether the pain is physical, emotional, spiritual, or even financial. In this way, we can more completely enjoy the most amazing gift: the Torah that God has given to the world.
May HaShem heal our lands
May He heal the world, heal our hearts, heal humanity. Amen
Chag Shavuot Sameach.
Happy Shavuot ~ Feast of Weeks.
