Luchot_339.20.1 Ausschnitt

The Word of the Rabbi
After the exodus from Egypt and the revelation at Sinai,
the people of Israel chose to serve only ONE master, the
ETERNAL one. On the historical level at Shavuot, we
celebrate the giving of the Torah, the laws of God, and,
symbolically understood, the entire Jewish tradition. On
Pesach we celebrate our physical liberation, on Shavuot
our spiritual liberation.
On Pesach we celebrate our physical liberation, on Shavuot
our spiritual liberation.
We can take the story of the exodus from Egypt for what
it is: an impressive story, the facts of which cannot be
proven. However, I believe the notion of celebrating
freedom to be important too. At least in the west, we
are free people who can determine what we do with our
‘own’ time. Such freedom is naturally tied up with an
acceptance of the laws of the land which in turn protect
us from the horrors of despotism and violence. At the
same time, these laws help provide a solid foundation of
justice and equality for all.I feel very privileged and can
without difficulty combine my gratitude with Shavuot
and the reception of the Torah.
May our freedom and thereby also our intrinsic obligation
to follow both Jewish as well as Swiss law, be a
blessing for us.
Rabbi Ruven Bar Ephraim
Chag Sameach
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