The idea of Shavuot being the day on which the Torah was given is not as simple as it appears; rather, that is a newer significance deemed only once the calendar was fixed. Consequently, there must be some other meaning connecting the new-grain sacrifice and the Rabbinic desire to line up the giving of the Torah with the reaping holiday. Rabbanit Leah Sarna proposes that this hints to the need to occasionally find new meaning in the Torah, at least once a year, difficult as it may be.

This Shavuot collection of Torah thoughts features students from three institutions. Included in these articles are the following insights and more: Rabba Wendy Amsellem on the role of female friendship and connection • Rabba Dina Brawer on the constancy of Torah study • Rabbi Jeffrey Fox on a generation’s renewal of Torah • Rabba Sara Hurwitz on the contrast between revelations on Pesach and Shavuot • Rabbi Eryn London on the climactic significance of midnight • Rabbanit Leah Sarna on the parallel between the new-grain offering and new insights into Torah • Rabbi Dr. Devorah Schoenfeld on being a part of an eternal religious community and the weight it gives to the calendrical year • Rabbi Avi Weiss on the difficulty of connecting to the command to hear as well as to listen in light of a hearing impairment

Whereas the agricultural and historical reasons for the other pilgrimage holidays are written clearly in the text, Shavuot lacks a historical meaning, significance independent of Pesach or unique practice. However, argues Rabba Sara Hurwitz, this is the beauty of the holiday. It is the private, quiet counterpart of the public and loud commemoration of Pesach which teaches the importance of an individual’s spiritual connection.

A religious community bears a certain eternal weight, and thus provides the individual with a sense of being sustained. Even in times without physical gathering, notes Rabbi Dr. Devorah Schoenfeld, the cycle of the calendar and the look to past and future alike promises a sense of purpose beyond the moment.

As the community begins to flourish together again, Rabbanit Goldie Guy and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld seize the moment to speak about what it means. Opening with a praise of the modesty of shul and the Jewish community and moving to a passionate debate over antisemitism with members Joel Braunold and Dr. Sara Hirschhorn, covering everything from whether it should be formally defined to what the roots and branches may include.

Rabbi Jeffrey Fox, Rosh HaYeshiva - Welcome & Framing (discussion of the passivity of receiving Torah and activity of it being our Torah) • Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter - Is there a Right Way to Learn Torah? (Multiple ways to learn together) • Rabbanit Amalia Haas - Womanhood, Shame & Vulnerability in Megillat Ruth (embracing one’s past despite potential shame) • Rabba Rachel Kohl Finegold - Redemption in the Book of Ruth (redemption in a lawful and positive manner) • Rabbi Dr. Erin Leib Smokler - Luchot and Shivrei Luchot: The Revelation We Remember” (the luchot are brought to remind that there is chance to break and to repair)

The laws of the shmita year appear both in Shemot and Vayikra, but the frame of reference differs drastically. Whereas it was once about nation building and social support networks, Rabba Amy Newman depicts how the obligation has become an understanding of one’s role as a trusting servant of God. In a debate between Rashi and Radak, it becomes clear that the prophet’s curse of dry crops is because of a lack of such faith, but rather trust in oneself or others in lieu of God.

Miscarriage, a sensitive subject with a weighty taboo, is difficult to address in a “normal” year. Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn shares her personal struggle with sharing the news of her loss in a time when her own effort was responsible for others finding out and her hopes to offer comfort to those in a similar position.

Rabbanit Dasi Fruchter joins host Rabba Ramie Smith to discuss ritual: what it means, how to establish one for an individual and how to sustain a ritual. She shares her own family’s traditions and how they’ve led her to be a community spiritual leader. Rabbanit Fruchter also addresses the greater idea of finding meaning within both more progressive and more traditional practice.

The definition of “arum” was previously argued, but now its complex ramifications are worked through. Rabba Aliza Libman Baronofsky ponders whether hiding certain traits is moral or immoral.