#217: Machshavah

On each Yom Tov, the Gemara (Pesachim 68b) explores how the day should be spent: Rav Eliezer permits it to be devoted entirely either to God or to ourselves, while Rav Yehoshua insists it be divided—half “for Hashem” through Torah, and half “for yourselves” through physical enjoyment. But when it comes to Shavuot, all agree: we must include a portion “for yourselves,” since it is the day the Torah was given. This seems surprising—shouldn’t a day marking divine revelation be purely spiritual?

The Bnei Yissaschar beautifully explains that this is precisely the point: the Torah was given not to remove us from the world, but to sanctify our worldly lives. Torah teaches us how to eat, speak, work, rest, and live with kedusha. The joy of Shavuot is not just about study, but about celebrating the Torah’s power to uplift our physical reality and make it holy. We eat, rejoice, and live Torah—not only in the beit midrash but at our tables, in our homes, and in our lives.

This is exactly the mission of Torat Imecha. Through daily halacha—especially now as we study Hilchot Shabbat—we see how Torah applies to every detail: what we do, what we refrain from, how we prepare, and how we elevate the day. Shabbat itself mirrors this fusion: a day filled with physical joy and deep spirituality, structured by halacha to become a sanctuary in time. When we learn how to live Torah in our everyday actions, we fulfill the vision of Matan Torah—bringing Hashem into every corner of our lives.

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Dedicated by Fran Broder as a zechus for the hostages to be released safely to their families and may everlasting peace come to Eretz Yisrael in the merit of learning Hilchos Shabbos.