Shavuos is here again with all its excitement and energy. Yet, I know for many there is also some concern and apprehension that comes with facing the reality of one’s relation ship with the Torah. You may say to yourself: “How I can accept this holy Torah when I am so full of sin. The Torah is for those few Zadikim who really feel close to HaShem. They have their devotion because they were born spiritual and are not so involved in the world the way I am. I enjoy Pesach, with it’s seven days of leaving Egypt, and Sukot with it’s week of HaShem’s love. But the one day of Shavous with the concept of accepting upon myself the yoke of Torah learning and the lifestyle required for such dedication, I don’t really feel that’s for me.”

If you happen to be feeling this way, Shavous may not be the most pleasant holiday. So I am going to let you know a little secret on how to make this Shavous your best Shavous ever. The Torah itself is the answer. It is the cleansing light of Torah itself which can renovate
one’s feelings and outlook. The sefer Maalos Hatorah explains:

The Torah will cleanse one of all impurities. As our sages said,' "Why were tents (study halls) mentioned alongside streams in the verse, 'Like the winding streams, like tents?(Bamidbar 24:6) This is to tell you that just as streams of water raise a person from impurity to purity, so do words of Torah." It says, "And are not My words like fire, says the Lord."(Yirmiyahu 23:29) Just as fire consumes thorns, so do words of Torah consume all bad traits in man, which are compared to thorns. Like it says, "The wicked shall be as thorns thrust away, they shall be utterly consumed by fire." (Shmuel Bes 23:6-7)

It is the learning of the Torah itself which brings one to levels of devotion and spiritually. Shavous is a time to rededicate ourselves to learning Torah. The decision to learn Torah with one’s strength and energy can transform one and give them a brand new life. Like it says in Shabbath 88b:

R. Hananel b. Papa said: What is meant by, “Hear, for I will speak princely things” (Proverbs 8:6). Why are the words of the Torah compared to a prince? To tell you that just as a prince has power to kill and to give life, so too the words of the Torah have the power to kill and to give life. Thus Raba said; to those who grasp it with their right hand (with strength and might) it is a drug of life; to those who grasp it with their left hand it is a drug of death.

Wishing you the best Shavous ever.

Translation of Maalos Hatorah by Rabbi Elimelech Lepon