When I reflect on Shavuot, my first thought is always of indulging in delicious blintzes. However, the idea of studying Torah all night doesn’t necessarily excite me. Despite not adhering to many rabbinic traditions, I consider myself a person of faith. This year, I decided to challenge myself to contemplate what it could mean for someone like me, who is not Torah observant, to commemorate the giving of the Law. Here are some reasons why I believe non-observant Jews can still find value in celebrating the Torah.
The Law defines our concept of ‘better.’
The Law serves as a reminder that there is a distinction between right and wrong, which adds meaning to our lives. While there may be disagreements on what falls under the “right” or “wrong” categories, the very existence of the Law, dictating some things as right and others as wrong, is crucial. Living in a world where everyone determines their own moral standards based on personal desires would lead to injustice and exploitation. The Law paves the way for a better world by shaping our understanding of what is “better.”
The Law was not established by me or you, and that is a positive thing. None of us, including ourselves or people we know, possess the authority to determine right and wrong in every situation. Despite our insistence on being right, living in a world where our beliefs and actions serve as the ultimate standard would be undesirable. Most individuals acknowledge that they fall short of their own standards at times, so expecting them to set universal standards for others is unrealistic. I find solace in the fact that someone more righteous than I has undertaken this responsibility.
God has not left us in the dark about His expectations.
The Law reveals God’s concern by offering us a glimpse into His holiness. Imagine if God declared, “I am perfectly holy and I want you to be holy” (as He did numerous times in the Hebrew Bible), but then added, “I will not disclose what that entails or how to strive for it.” Many associate holiness with religiosity, causing them to disregard the line between holy and unholy. However, holiness embodies God’s unique splendor, setting Him apart as the most loving, righteous, just, and wise being. God took the time to pinpoint anything that detracts from holiness so that we are not left clueless about His expectations.
The Law demonstrates that God does not expect perfection from us. Even the most devout individuals are incapable of flawlessly adhering to God’s Law; in fact, the Law acknowledges human error. So, why celebrate it? God’s intention in giving us the Law was not to make us flawless, but to reveal His perfection and highlight our shortcomings. This is significant because God desires to bridge the vast divide between us. Hence, He sent His Messiah, Yeshua, to live a perfect life on our behalf. His righteousness is regarded by God as our holiness (1 Peter 3:18). Through this, we can bridge that chasm and establish a connection between imperfect individuals and a perfect God.
“Messiah also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
The Law underscores the relationship God desires to cultivate with us. When God bestowed upon us the Torah, He was not simply saying, “Here are 613 commandments that you must flawlessly adhere to for Me to love you.” Rather, we can view the Law as a means through which God reveals His holiness and beckons us to reflect the beauty of His holiness. Despite our imperfections causing a separation between us, His love for us remains unwavering. The God depicted in the Torah is not an indifferent deity devoid of concern for our lives. Nor is He a vending machine that grants our wishes upon pressing the right button. He is a God who yearns to be known.
Celebrating the Torah entails commemorating God’s pursuit of perfection, beauty, and grace. One of God’s remarkable promises is that He will one day inscribe His Law in our hearts. He desires to instill within us the capacity to experience life and love in ways beyond our imagination.