Clearly Marie Antoinette never tasted Miriam’s cheesecake or she’d never have offered it to the French People.
While we’re at it, Napoleon had it all wrong too. It isn’t an army –it is a community that is enhanced with delicious food.
This Wednesday afternoon we will join together and fulfill the all-important custom of enjoying dairy delights on the festival of Shavuot. However, despite the mystical and mythical powers of a Jewish community sharing food together -- there will be something even more powerful on the menu. Let me explain.
When Pharoah chases the Jews into the Red Sea, Rashi notes the Torah’s usage of a singular rather than plural form of the verb ‘Nosea’, meaning to travel. Rashi comments B’lev Echad K’ish Echad – “with one heart, like one man." Egypt was unified in its quest for evil.
Contrast that with the encampment of the Jewish people at the foot of Mount Sinai in preparation of receiving the Torah, where Rashi says, K’ish Echad B’lev Echad "Like one man, with one heart". The Jewish People were unified in their quest for the Torah which would be given at Sinai.
Did you notice the difference? The second time (with regards the Torah) the ‘One Man’ comes first -- whereas before, by the Red Sea, the ‘One Heart’ comes first.
The commentaries explain that when the Jewish People united under the shadow of the Goodness of the Torah, our individuality faded into one unified entity. A singular united force for good. We became K’ish Echad—‘One Man’.
When G-d Forbid, individuals unite for an evil purpose -- the intentions are united Blev Echod-with one heart, yet true unity isn’t achieved to the same extent.
On this upcoming Shavuot Holiday, we will relive the unifying experience of the giving of the Torah, by reading the Torah’s account of the giving of the Aseret ha’Dibrot, the Ten Commandments.
Unlike the SF Giants slogan “together we are GIANTS” -- the slogan of Shavuot rings out: “Together we are GIANT”.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yisroel Hecht