Dear Friends,
When I first visited Philadelphia, I was struck by the abundance of greenery. Everywhere I turned – trees, grass, flowing water. The fertile soil, vibrant foliage, and fresh air were powerful and awe-inspiring. Coming from Israel, where the dominant colors are brown and yellow, this lush green landscape felt refreshing and full of life. In Israel, more than half the land is desert. Though deserts are alive in their own ways, they are still deserts. That’s why the evergreens here, the sound of streams, and the scent of leaves fill my heart with joy.
One tradition of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, the holiday that is also known as the holiday of the giving of the Torah, which begins this Sunday night, is decorating synagogues with greenery and flowers. This not only adds beauty but connects to the Torah, often likened to the “Tree of Life.” The Talmud says: “Each and every utterance that emerged from the mouth of the Holy One, blessed be He, filled the world with fragrance.” (BT Shabbat 88b)
Imagine being at Sinai – hearing the Torah, smelling it, sensing it with your whole being. It was not just an intellectual moment, but a full-bodied experience.
And yet, the Torah was given in the desert. The rabbis teach: “The Torah was given in the wilderness, a place unowned and open, so that anyone who wishes to receive it may come and receive it.” (Mekhilta, Yitro) The desert, brown and seemingly barren, reveals its hidden green when touched by water. Its openness and potential make it a powerful symbol: Torah is for everyone and can blossom anywhere.
We are left with two images: the green, fertile landscape that delights the senses, and the stark wilderness that invites possibility. How do we hold both?
Perhaps, the answer is in understanding that Torah was given in a place that belonged to no one, yet welcomed everyone. It is rich with life and humbling in its complexity. As Daniel J. Boorstin once said (a quote also attributed to Stephen Hawking): “The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Sometimes we think we already understand, but in truth, there’s always more to learn. Torah, both “green” and “brown,” reminds us to stay humble, to listen, and to see the world in its true and varied colors.
Wishing you a happy Shavuot, filled with colors, water, learning, and cheesecakes! With prayers for the return of the hostages.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Moriah SimonHazani
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