Next week we will be observing the festival of Shavuot.

Of all the festivals, I really look forward to Shavuot, not just because I love milky foods or the fact that compared to the preparation required for say Pesach and Succot, Shavuot is a doddle (!) but it presents an opportunity to reaffirm ones love for Torah and all that observing a Torah life entails.

The Sages tell us that the unique spiritual quality and message of each festival can be re-lived and tapped into as we experience them every year.

So for example on Succot we come out of the comfort of our self-built physical homes and sit in our Succa (if it hasn’t blown away!) to testify our belief in G-d’s miraculous protection as he protected the generation of Jews who came out of Egypt in the desert.

On Shavuot we commemorate the giving of the Torah in the Sinai desert over 3,300 years ago. We are told the Torah was given amongst great bangs of thunder, lightening and smoke and the sound of the shofar was heard ringing throughout the entire world.

Similarly we should feel every year at Shavuot as if we are experiencing our own Mount Sinai and receiving the Torah.

How are we really supposed to do this in the modern day and age?

I mean even if there is a terrible thunderstorm (you never know living in Glasgow!) next Wed/Thurs and the smoke from the volcano descends even more helps us recreate the Mount Sinai experience – what does it mean to receive/accept the Torah?

The ‘yoke’ of Torah involves mitzvos pertaining to every single area of our lives. The more you learn, the more you realize there is to learn. At times one can feel overwhelmed. Torah is like a vast ocean, its depth is infinite.

But we must not feel overwhelmed – after all there are many mitzvos we do already – most of us wouldn’t dream of violating commandments such as ‘Do not murder’ or ‘Do not steal’.

Shavuot is about accepting upon ourselves, with love, the mitzvot we do already (the Torah we keep) and being open and ready to try to learn/explore/do even more mitzvot in the coming year.

In our recent Qn/answer session in shul somebody asked why Shavuot is only a 1 day festival (2 days in the Diaspora) and doesn’t have any significant aspects bar the cheesecake compared to the richness of Pesach, Rosh Hashana etc.

The answer is that Shavuot is the anniversary of the Jews receiving the Torah but really we are to feel as if we are receiving the Torah every day of the year anew.

As an Orthodox Jewess my belief system is challenged every day eg clothes shopping can be a nightmare to find nice ‘tznius’ (modest) clothing!

A final thought I would like to share – if you can find a quiet moment outside in the fresh air, surrounded by nature, before each Shabbat or festival – it is almost as if you can feel the energy of that Shabbat or festival about to enter the world. Tune in - and with G-d’s help we can enhance our Jewish experience even more.

Good Yom Tov/Chag Sameach

Anna xx

PS – One explanation for the milky foods on Shavuot is that Torah can be compared to milk – just like milk provides all nourishment for a baby – so too Torah nourishes our souls.

In this week’s parsha Hashem tells Moshe that he has chosen Betzalel from the tribe of Yehuda to be the craftsman par excellence to build the Sanctuary. Although only 13 years old, Betzalel was most talented in all skills needed for its construction.

Hashem then appoints a helper for Betzalel called Oholiav (I told our children to remember his name like ‘olive’) from the tribe of Dan.

The Midrash explains that Betzalel being so talented and from the exalted tribe of Yehuda was deliberately teamed up with Oholiav, a simple person from the lowliest tribe of Dan because in Hashem’s eyes the great and the small are equal.

If we really take this teaching to heart, there is no need to be jealous if someone is more talented or gifted than yourself – Hashem loves us all the same.

For all you fashionista’s out there! It was funny that last week was London Fashion Week and the fashion world is in mourning for Alexander McQueen who is being hailed as one of the most creative clothes designers of recent times.

Well l’havdil (a word we say when comparing something from the secular world to a Torah idea – like havdalah – to separate/make a distinction between holy and mundane) last week’s parsha was talking about the Priestly Garments of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest in the Sanctuary and later Temple). And there is no fashion designer like Hashem himself!

The 8 Priestly Garments were so intricately woven and detailed, only an artisan imbued with G-dly spirit could make them according to G-d’s instruction. They comprised of gold, turquoise, purple and scarlet wool, twisted linen, chains of pure gold and precious stones on the breastplate. Around the hem were golden bells and pomegranates alternately.

The bells tinkled as the Kohen Gadol walked, thus reminding him to act at all times in a manner befitting a Kohen Gadol.

And when the Jews heard the bells tinkle they repented and refined their behaviour.

We are taught that when moshiach comes (a subject for another discussion – suffice it to say that there has to be a time where world peace, justice and truth prevails and an end to suffering) we will again be able to see the Kohein Gadol in these garments. I look forward in awe to that day.

Baruch Hashem I have finally found a few minutes to write this!!

For those who know me, you may know that baruch hashem my life is so busy with the ‘wee ones’ that I barely have time to breathe!

I emphasize 'Baruch Hashem' because I feel that the right attitude is always needed to cope with life’s trials and tribulations.

Sometimes we feel we cannot cope with our lot and that is when a positive attitude is required in order to sail through the challenge.

For example at the moment I am totally sleep deprived having not one decent night’s sleep for 11 weeks (thanks to our new arrival!) but then I tell myself that it is a blessing that I am in this position in the first place!

Whatever situation we find ourselves in, there is always someone worse off eg all those poor victims in Haiti and now Chile.

Having grown up in the secular world I remember what my life was like without Torah as my guide – it was empty and directionless. Sure I had fun and was happy but I suppose being an idealistic person as I matured, I thought 'what am I really doing to help the world, to change the world?'. There is a Talmudic saying ‘In the place where there is no man, exert yourself to be the man’.

Without wanting to sound cheesy, having made a rational decision to infuse Judaism into my day to day living, I feel as a person (and more importantly a family unit) life has meaning, a direction and so many opportunities for spiritual growth. I look forward to each Shabbos and the richness and variety of each Yom Tov. When we delve into our Torah, the more we learn, the more we realize there is more to learn. And I find it so interesting and exciting!

I want to let you know that I feel proud, privileged and humbled to be the ‘Rebbetzen of Newton Mearns’. I am here for you and will always make time for any questions, advice or whatever I can help you with. Please be in touch!

Lots of love

Anna xx

PS – Thanks to David Goldring for finally getting me going on this as he told me yesterday there were actually people who were clicking on this page to see if I had posted anything!!