On Wednesday, May 12th, the ACISBA and Chalom communities organized a virtual meeting on the occasion of Shavuot. Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca was invited to the event organized by Rabbi Gabriel Duer from the Chalom community and Rabbi Gabriel Said from the ACISBA Youth Study Center, in which the main speakers were the students of Shalom and ACISBA.
Rabbi Sacca spoke about the close relationship between the festivities of Pesach and Shavuot: “Shavuot is not an independent holiday, it is a holiday that does not have its own date, it is 7 weeks after Pesach. On Shavuot we commemorate the delivery of the Torah, of the Law. On Pesach we commemorate freedom. Freedom has to be accompanied by a Law”.
Rabbi Gabriel Said stressed that Shavuot does not have as many external precepts as other celebrations, since it stands out for its essence, the study of the sources, so that we can understand the other precepts in a better way. “Young people assure us that the message of the Torah will continue to be transmitted in the future” – said Rabbi Said.
And then the young speakers spoke.
Alex Roitman, from ACISBA, focused his presentation on the Ten Commandments and their application today. He explained that the 10 commandments are not corrupted by any person or any interest; that is why the first commandment is “I am your G’d”. God was the one who said it.
He stressed the importance of studying and investigating the Torah to find out which concepts are true.
Regarding respect for parents, he emphasized valuing their life experience and learning from their mistakes and successes.
“The teachings of the Torah are still current and absolutely valid in our lives” – he concluded.
Leila Tarica, from the community of Chalom, related the Torah with water in 5 aspects:
1.The Torah is like water, because it is life for us to live on this planet.
2.Water comes from heaven, the Torah comes from heaven, it is Divine. Water cleans the body, the Torah cleans the soul, by studying it and applying it in our lives.
3. The Torah begins from a small thaw and becomes a huge sea. From a little learning we can reach incredible places and expand our being in a beautiful way.
4. Just as we are not normally ashamed to ask for a glass of water because it is vital, in the same way we ask for Torah to be able to internalize it, without feeling ashamed, understanding that it is vital.
5. Water is something that falls, from the highest to the lowest areas. The Torah is where humble people are.
Eze Naccas, from the Chalom community, compared the Torah with 4 elements:
1. Just as milk is pure and nourishes the body, the Torah nourishes the heart.
2.Honey is sweet, the Torah sweetens our life and makes it more pleasant.
3.Oil improves the skin, the Torah constantly improves us.
4.Wine cheers up the heart , the Torah cheers up all the hearts of Am Israel.
“The Torah is the basis of the world ”- he assured.
Sol Jabbaz, from ACISBA, highlighted essential messages from Meguilat Ruth. “When you see that things don’t go the way you want, you should learn from Ruth and where she came from.” Ruth decided to become and be part of the Jewish people in a special moment: not when everything was easy, but in a difficult moment. She was a princess, daughter of the King of Moab, she could have it all. However, she decides to go with her mother-in-law to other lands to gather wheat in fields of the poor. Her sacrifice was not in vain. She could see her descendants David and Shlomo, and from her comes the Mashiach, the future redeemer of Israel.
“Everything comes from God, the good and the bad, which is the best for us at that moment. We must trust Him, help each other and listen to each other ”- she emphasized.
Nico Ravel from the Chalom community spoke about the custom of eating dairy products on Shavuot. “Milk comes from blood, honey from bees. We must do the same with our qualities: work on them and turn them into something more valuable, more beautiful, ”he emphasized.
Axel Kachani talked about the precepts related to others and to G’d. “Loving your neighbor as yourself is the most difficult thing. How can you love someone who perhaps you don’t love, can’t bear or don’t know? Am I perfect? If I make a mistake, I miss it. In the same way, I must not see the mistakes of others all the time ”-he stressed.
Rabbi Duer congratulated the youngsters. “Young people are our pride. They are our guarantors ”. “The Torah guides us in life, it leads us on the right path and helps us to know how to overcome bad things, the ways of the Torah are sweet, pleasant and peaceful. It helps us all human beings to coexist harmoniously ”-he emphasized.
Finally Rabbi Isaac Sacca praised the students for their presentations.
“Youth is the future. With young people like this, the future of the next generations is guaranteed ”- he assured.
