Special Jewels, Sweethearts, and Distinctions

Shavuot 5783

Matthew Absolon, Beth Tfilah, Hollywood, FL

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel. (Exodus 19:5–6)

As we prepare for this year’s celebration of Shavuot, we are reminded again in this week’s reading of the affectionate nature of our God. He calls his chosen “li segulah,” “my treasured possession.” It’s a phrase in the Torah reserved for the Lord’s relationship to his bride, Israel. Ibn Ezra in his commentary on Exodus 19 shares that segulah can also be translated as simply “precious,” “treasure,” or “jewel.” This is Hashem’s term of endearment for you and me, “My Special Jewel.” With this endearment he makes a distinction between Israel and the nations around them.

As a husband I can relate to this emotion. As it happens, there are many women in the world with the name Annie, and there are many who have been called sweetheart. But there is only one who is called “My Annie,” “My sweetheart.” I can only wish you all the blessing of this distinction in your own life.

This distinction is a beautiful thing. First, it allows us to move through the world with freedom. It sets us free from the stagnation of uncertainty and emotional chaos, and establishes our feet on a straight path. It allows our hearts to move forward with purpose and direction, loving only one, to the exclusion of all others.  

Second, it provides clarity to our most fundamental of questions. I am a husband to “My Annie.” I am a father to “My children.” I am a provider to “My household.” This distinction of marriage brings clarity and definition to my identity, which defines the daily choices I make.  

Midrashically speaking, the Torah is our marriage covenant with the Lord. It is within the bonds of covenant that we discover the freedoms of distinction, fidelity, and purpose. The result is peace and stability. Our forefather David said it this way: “Those who love your Torah have great peace; nothing makes them stumble” (Psa 119:165). 

Within the Messianic Jewish community we rightly live and share the Besorah of our Lord Yeshua, and his redemptive sacrifice that brings us into covenantal fidelity with him. In Matthew 26 our Lord says, “This is my blood of the covenant.” From this we have life and life eternally.  

In conjunction with this new life, let us also live and share the happy news of Torah! David again speaks of the happiness of Torah-living in this way: “How happy are those who observe his instruction, who seek him wholeheartedly!” (Psa 119:20). In a world that is enslaved in confusion, infidelity, and nihilism, we have a desperately needed message of distinction, fidelity, and purpose. This is the message of the Torah.

In his letter to the Jewish people, our forefather James calls the Torah “the perfect Torah of liberty” (1:25). The opposite of Torah is not grace. The opposite of Torah is slavery. Slavery to sins against God and our fellow man. Slavery to confusion, infidelity, and nihilism. Slavery to false idols.  

On this day some 2000 years ago, Simon Peter, empowered by the Ruach, spoke with courage and fidelity to the pilgrimage crowds gathered at the Temple. Just as when the Torah was first given at Mt Sinai, the Holy Spirit was poured out among the Jewish people, starting with the faithful disciples of our Lord. Peter shared this message with our people gathered to worship:  

Moreover, he has been exalted to the right hand of God; has received from the Father what he promised, namely, the Ruach HaKodesh; and has poured out this gift, which you are both seeing and hearing. (Acts 2:33) 

This Shavuot, I encourage you to not take for granted the blessings of peace and stability that the Ruach brings to your life through Torah faithfulness. I encourage you to remember that outside the doors of your home and synagogue, is a world full of confusion and pain, longing for that same peace. May we have the courage and fidelity to bring that peace to them.

Shavuot is called “Z’man Matan Torateinu,” “the time of the giving of our Torah.” And so it is, that on this day of Shavuot, we have received two great gifts. The gift of the Torah, and the gift of Ruach HaKodesh. Let us not keep these gifts to ourselves, but let us actively share them with the world. Hag Shavuot Sameach to you all!

Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV).