One people,

  one mountain,

one book,

many voices.

 

 

Since we say "I was a slave in Egypt" during Passover, then why don’t we say "I was free at the foot of Sinai" on Shavuot?

On Shavuot, we celebrate the moment when we stood at Sinai and became a people.

This year CLAL is initiating the first National Unity Shavuot, bringing together Jewish people throughout North America for a night of learning and celebration.

Gathering with others, we will reenact the time we stood at the foot of the mountain. We will celebrate our unity as we ask questions that we can’t answer alone. In sacred conversation, we will challenge each other to see ancient text anew.  

National Unity Shavuot: A Guide for Beginning a Sacred Conversation

 

Step One:

Invite friends of diverse Jewish experience and backgrounds to study together on, or in preparation for, Shavuot.

 

Step Two:

Consider the following text, ancient in origin but contemporary in its relevance, as a starting point for discussion. In a small group, or with a partner, read aloud this description of the experience at Sinai from a classic medieval commentary:

When the Holy One spoke, each and every person in Israel could say, "The Divine Word is addressing me." Rabbi Yosi the son of Hanina said: Do not be surprised by this idea. For when manna came down to feed Israel, each person tasted it according to their capacity. For infants it was like mother’s milk, for the young it was like bread with oil and honey, and for the old like a honey cracker. What is true about the manna is also true about the Divine Word. Therefore the Holy One said: "Do not be misled if you hear many voices. Know that I am the One, God for each of you."

- adapted from Pesikta de Rav Kahana 12:25

 

Step Three:

Ask--

How do we relate our lives to this text?

Though it is uncommon to hear someone use the phrase "addressed by the Divine," we continue to have moments in our lives when we experience profound understanding. In recounting those times we might say:

"I felt connected to everything around me"

"I saw everything in a new light"

"Everything clicked"

"I heard a voice calling to me"