May 29, 2025|ב' סיון ה' אלפים תשפ"ה Carried by the Torah: Finding Inspiration this Shavuot By Rabbi Jonathan Muskat

Harvey and Susan Epstein were deeply concerned about their eight-year-old son Moishie. He had never spoken a word in his life. Then, one day after lunch, Moishie turned to his mother and said, "Soup's cold." Overwhelmed with joy, his mother hugged him and exclaimed, "Moishie, I’ve waited so long to hear you speak! Your father and I have been worried sick. Why have you never said a single word in all these years?" Moishie’s response was simple: "Up until now, everything's been okay."

Sometimes, we move through life quietly and contentedly. Everything feels okay, so we don’t feel the need to make noise, to grow, or to push ourselves spiritually. But there are moments when we are called to break our silence and engage deeply. The holiday of Shavuot, which begins on Sunday evening, is one such moment. It is a time when we embrace the custom of immersing ourselves in Torah learning and, through this, find inspiration and renewal.

The tradition of staying up all night on Shavuot to learn Torah is both exhilarating and challenging. It requires a departure from our routine. It leaves us groggy and exhausted the next day, and sometimes we wonder if it is truly worth the cost. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach was once approached by a young man who struggled with this very dilemma. The young man worried that staying up all night would compromise his ability to daven and learn properly during the day. Perhaps, he thought, it would be better to sleep at a normal time so he could engage more meaningfully in the day’s mitzvot.

Rav Shlomo Zalman’s response was unequivocal: the young man should stay up all night learning. He explained that for children, the custom of learning through the night is seen as a sacrosanct tradition. They may not understand the nuanced trade-offs, but they see the commitment as a demonstration of the immense value we place on Torah. By upholding this minhag, we communicate to the next generation that Torah study is precious and worth any sacrifice. This reasoning resonates, but is there also a personal reason to embrace this tradition beyond the message it sends to our children?

At the end of this week’s parsha, the family of Kehat is tasked with carrying the Aron, the holy Ark, during the journeys of Bnei Yisrael. In next week’s parsha, the Torah elaborates that the Aron must be carried on their shoulders using poles. The Gemara in Masechet Sotah makes a striking statement: “Nasa Aron et nosav”—the Ark carried its bearers. What does this mean? How could the Ark carry those who were supposed to carry it?

This statement becomes even more remarkable when we consider the Ark’s weight. Constructed from gold and acacia wood, it housed the first and second tablets, a Torah scroll, Aaron’s staff, and a jar of manna. According to Chazal, the total weight of the Ark and its contents was thousands of pounds—far beyond what four individuals could carry naturally. The Aron’s bearers were lifted by the Ark itself, a miraculous phenomenon. Yet, this miracle carries a deeper message: the Torah, symbolized by the Aron, sustains those who sustain it. As the verse says, “Etz chayim hee la’machazikim bah”—it is a tree of life to those who uphold it.

This concept illuminates the story of Ruth, which we read on Shavuot. Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi is perplexing. After the death of their husbands, Naomi urges Ruth and Orpah to remain in Moab and rebuild their lives. Orpah heeds this advice, but Ruth refuses. She chooses to accompany Naomi back to Eretz Yisrael despite having no prospects, no wealth, and no guarantees of a better future. From a rational perspective, Ruth’s decision seems almost foolish.

Yet, Chazal explain that Ruth’s choice was driven by something far deeper. When she told Naomi, “Your people are my people, and your God is my God,” she was committing herself to the Jewish faith and its way of life. Ruth had tasted Judaism during her marriage, and its truths resonated so deeply within her that she could not walk away. She was sustained by the Torah and its values, just as the Aron carried its bearers. Ruth teaches us that Torah is not just a discipline we engage with intellectually. It is a lifeline, a source of vitality that can uplift us in even the most challenging circumstances.

The juxtaposition between the loud voice of God at Sinai and the soft, subtle voice heard by Eliyahu Hanavi highlights another dimension of Torah’s sustaining power. At Sinai, the voice was “kol gadol”—a loud sound that left no room for ambiguity. By Eliyahu’s time, the voice was a “kol demamah dakah”—a still, small voice. In our noisy world, filled with distractions, it is challenging to hear the soft voice of Torah. Yet, when we create space for it, as we do on Shavuot, we open ourselves to its transformative power.

Many of our children return from a year of study in Israel with a newfound passion for Torah and Jewish values. This often happens because, for an extended period, they are able to drown out other noises and focus solely on the kol gadol of God. While most of us cannot take such a sabbatical, Shavuot provides a unique opportunity to immerse ourselves in Torah learning. It is a time to reconnect with our heritage and rediscover the sustaining force of Torah in our lives.

There is a story about a wealthy man who sought the best bochur in the yeshiva to be his chosson. He lavished the young man with gifts, a mansion, and endless admiration. Yet, when the chosson asked about the kallah, the wealthy man revealed that he had no daughter. His goal was simply to enjoy the prestige of having a distinguished chosson by his side. Sometimes, we approach Shavuot in a similar way. We focus on external markers—counting the Omer perfectly or indulging in traditional foods—rather than investing in the core values of the holiday. True fulfillment comes from embracing the essence of Shavuot: Torah study and spiritual growth.

Staying up all night learning on Shavuot or dedicating many hours of Torah study during the holiday of Shavuot can feel daunting. But instead of viewing it as an endurance test, we can see it as a gift. It is a chance to step away from the noise and distractions of daily life and immerse ourselves in the world of Torah. By pushing ourselves to learn more, to engage more deeply, and to truly listen to the kol gadol of Torah, we can emerge from this holiday inspired and transformed.

The story of Ruth, the miracle of the Aron, and the kol gadol of Sinai all remind us that Torah sustains those who sustain it. This Shavuot, let us embrace the opportunity to carry the Aron—to invest in Torah study—and allow it to carry us in return. In doing so, we follow in the footsteps of Ruth, finding inspiration and strength to navigate the challenges of life with faith and purpose.